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As Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is currently in production with David Yates at the helm of the film, rumors continue to swirl over who will direct the final Harry Potter film that is set to be released sometime in 2010. One of the directors mentioned more of late is Guillermo Del Toro, who talks again about the possibility of directing films such as “The Hobbit,” and notably “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Echoing comments made last October, in a new interview with MTV Mr. Del Toro says again that he is “definitely interested” in directing the final Harry Potter film. He says he enjoys the darker tone of the recent movies, noting after his friend Alfonso Cuaron directed Prisoner of Azkaban, the movies have “evolved greatly into a very nice universe to play at (in).” He also says positively several times how “Dickensian” he feels the Harry Potter series is, and stated he felt the last line of “Deathly Hallows” was a “beautiful, subdued way” to end the book, and was “very moving.” You can watch this interview with Guillermo Del Toro via this link.

233 Responses to Del Toro Talks Again on Possibly Directing “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”

says:

I really hope Guillermo is talking about Harry wanting a sandwhich.

says:

I’ve watched his work (Pan’s Labyrinth) and I think it is definitely one of the best fantasy film ever. I truly hope he get to direct DH.

says:

I just got Pan’s Labyrinth for Christmas, and it was absolutely breathtaking. I think he’d do well with DH, but I don’t think he could make it the best movie it could be. Granted, I’d rather have Guillermo direct it more than Alfonso Cuaron, but I don’t know if he could do it. Gosh, 2010… So close, yet so far away…

says:

Well, I’m not so sure about “Hell Boy”, but “Pan’s Labyrinth” is fantastic.
However, I think it’d be pretty fabulous if Alfonso Cuaron came back for the last one! We can only hope . . .
Although I think David Yates also did a very good, very commendable job with OotP. (Right up there with PoA)

says:

I think he was refering to the all was well line. And I have to agree with him.

says:

As long they don’t get Alfonso Cuaron…gosh, he ruined PoA. Siriusly (or seriously), PoA is hard to watch. I feel like it was so off the mark. I haven’t seen any of this guy’s work, but if he is friends with Cuaron…I just hope they don’t have similar directing philosophies. Well, I guess they’ll pick who they pick and they really don’t care what I think, but they need to get the right person to direct DH. It needs to be perfect.

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And I really hope that either he or Cuaron will be the new director. _

says:

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I agree with Holly. PoA was horrible. Cuaron was so “artistic” and “dark” he fell short of delivering key points (why Harry’s Patronus is a stag, the connection w/ the Marauder’s Map). If Cuaron or his buddy Del Toro direct it’ll be unsatisfying to every fan out there. No chances should be taken with DH, Yates is doing a phenomenal job and should be kept on to direct the final installment.

says:

I agree with B.C. Give Mr Yates a chance. He did an excellent job, on OTP, and I am willing to bet he’s going to do a great job, again, on HBP! He’s got the “tone” of the of the ‘Order’, and will probably continue the tone, to the end. Also, PoA SUCKED! As is usually the case, in most adaptations: “The book was better”. Again….the books are the books and the movies are the movies. But it does help if the movie is at least watchable! Yates has proved he can do it. I hope he stays…JMHO

says:

Really? Yates is doing a “phenomenal” job? I beg to differ.
While OOTP was good, it wasn’t great.
I just felt like it laked all kind of heart and feeling. Some of the shots are beautiful, like the sweeping beginning as we close in on Harry from above in the playground, but other things were drastically off and completely lifeless. I feel the only director who has gotten Michael Gambon to portray Dumbledore as correctly as it is possible for him to portray Dumbledore was Curon.

Now, Yates did successfully make a book I found utterly unreadable actually entertaining (OOTP is an awful book) but beyond that, it just felt so cold. I credit him with well executed fight scenes and a pretty good Ministry of Magic, but beyond that, I’m completely unimpressed with what he got out of his actors and angle of shots. What he does with HBP remains to be seen, and I really hope he does a better job.

And I’m completely for Del Toro. If he can make Deathly Hallows convey as much emotion and realistic magic as “Pan’s Labyrinth” did (which, knowing the original material, should be easy since the novel was fantastic) then there honestly should be no one else.

says:

As some people have already mentioned, “Pan Labyrinth” is visually stunning, but it also made some pretty mundane things seem fascinating . I’m trying to imagine how all the camping will be presented. I assume they will cut a lot of it out for time and our sanity, but there are parts they have to keep like the effects of the locket and Ron leaving and coming back. I think Del Toro will be able to show the monotony and hopelessness in a interesting (for the viewer at least) way.

says:

” Pan’s Labyrith” was a great [!]combination of reality and fantasy , and
I think del Torro could do a wondeful job with DH.
He isn’t Cuaron-—thank goodness[!] ,didn’t care much for POA either,I can barely watch it—his style is different.But IF he [Torro] is chosen I want be upset.

[[[ I loved Yates work for OOTP and don’t blame him for the omissions,
there are so many variables to putting the film together.Looking forward to HBP so much ]]

says:

I don’t really want him to direct the hobbit or potter 7. But if he does do one of those films, it had better be harry potter. I don’t really mind who does Potter 7 much, as long as it’s not Cuaron. Yes, film 3 was quite a good film, but Alfonso’s films are too “arty-farty” and he doesn’t appreciated the importance of a good storyline.

says:

I think the best Potter director so far has been Yates.

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Honestly, I am not a huge fan of Del Toro’s current films, but if it means him or say…Chris Columbus?! Then Yes, Del Toro is very much welcome to me. Of course, I really, really, really wish Cuaron would come back. PoA still remains my favorite HP film. Yates is OK…I love some things he does, but I also hate some aspects of what he has done. I do NOT like Newell. Sorry. I thought GoF was awful! The first two…well they speak for themselves! Bring back Cuaron!!!

says:

<<>>

No. Only to “purists”/Columbus loyalists like yourself. I actually WANT a dark, artistic Harry Potter movie. I hate it when Cuaron haters assume they’re the only REAL fans. What about HP fans who LOVE Cuaron’s work? They’re not true fans?

says:

I agree, Irvin. It’s important to realize that the movies will never be the books. I feel that it’s more important to capture on screen the feeling that the books give as you read them and I feel that PoA has done this the best. I understand why some people don’t like it (it does cut out some important information) but it arguably the most “accurate” film in terms of mood. Visually, it is the most stimulating which is also very important (otherwise you’re better off popping in an Audio Book). I liked CuarÃ³n and I feel he or Del Toro would do a fantastic job on DH.

says:

I do not dislike Cuaron , I think him an excellent director. I just didn’t like what he did with POA. And there are two points of view on his work on POA and fans who feel both ways —love it or do not like it -—but have the right to each ponit of view.Most of us are also fans of the films and have different views ,of each of the films [and directors ]that should be respected.

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I think it we’ll be a very good thing if either Cuaron or Del Toro directs the last movie because they are both very good directors !

says:

I would have to say i agree with DEL Toro. DH has to be the best movie of them all. Harry must go out with a bang. The fight at the ministries of magic was good but the final battle in DH must be a theatrical masterpiece. Note to Warner Brothers spare no expense on DH because will break boxoffice records no doubt :)

says:

having guillermo is gonna be just like cuaron. i dunno if i could take that for the FINAL film. no weird settngs. no dark stuff. no enigmatic undertones. JUST KICK BUTT ACTION!!!!! and stop moving hagrid’s hut, please.

says:

Del Toro is simply campaigning for the job (he, like MANY other directors, would give their left arm to direct movie 7). The same way he’s doing for the Hobbit. The same way that Alfonso Cuaron did a few months back. PoA is the ONE movie (although I do like it) that has a very very different feel than all of the other movies. My feeling is that if David Yates does as great of a job on the 6th movie that he did on the 5th, they’ll HAVE to select him to do movie 7. You want a consistent approach, especially considering that JKR herself said that book 6 and 7 are themselves just two parts in one big final story. If they got a new director for movie 7, that’d be very very risky.

says:

I really want to see John William for the soundtrack of the last movie because he made a wonderful job on PoA.

Currently Cuaron and Yates are the best director of the HP movies.
Their movies are working independently of the books.
Of course there are still some parts of the story missing, but I think we can hope for an extented version of Ootp.

Newell made a average job but his movie is good because the book is good that’s all.

On the contrary the two Columbus movies are kind of bad, he was a free risk director for the Warner.
Yes the complete story is present but the “ambiance”, the spirit of the books is not.

I’ll be very happy to see Cuaron or Del Toro behind book 7 because they are trully good director with their own artistic visions.

says:

Cuaron was the best HP director. Let’s assume it, if he didn’t do what he did, nobody (talking about directors) would pay attention to Potter. He’s the one who made Potter look cool and desirable. As a franchise to direct, of course.

says:

i will be overjoyed if he directs this movie! i thought cuaron’s film was the absolute best of the five thus far and since their styles are so similar i’d be so happy with either of them. they understand something deeper about the story and what they leave out is perfect.

says:

I was just thinking about DH last night and this morning….I’m trying to figure out what they might cut out but it’s hard because everything was so crucial. I haven’t seen Pan’s Labyrinth but it looks good. I dunno…I don’t think Del Toro is a bad choice but he probably isn’t the best.

says:

Right now, I’m not too keen on ‘trying out’ another director on the most important final 7th movie- and I don’t think WB is either. So I think it’ll probably be Yates or Cuaron for DH, which would be totally fine with me. I think I’d rather have Yates, but, I enjoyed POA too, so I wouldn’t really mind Cuaron.
But, if in the end it happens to be Del Toro, I’ll keep faith, and wait to see what he produces- it could be great. :)

says:

I really hope this doesn’t happen!! OotP was the best movie of the series so far, and I don’t blame them for cutting a bit out of the book. Even Jo herself said she’d trim the book down. The movie was visually stunning, and the creative liberties taken were minimal and not too terrible. I would absolutely love to see Yates finish off the series, I don’t think any other director would do it justice.
As to Cuaron, PoA is my least favorite movie by far. He made it into an art film. While it was visually nice, he took WAY too many liberties with the book. Shrunken heads? No marauders? Kangaroo-ish werewolf? Hunchbacked Tom? That all seems a bit iffy to me…
DH absolutely MUST be the best film in the series and the film also needs to capture the absolute terror that the book brings with it. Yates has proven himself with OotP, and the last 3 books are by far the most pivotal. Let him finish the series!
Oh, and I think the director of the previous film gets first chance at directing the next one. Yates has said he loves the world, and so hopefully he’ll stick with it if/when it’s offered to him.

says:

It’s not going to happen. The first director WB asks to direct the new HP movie is ALWAYS the “last HP director” and since David Yates accepted HBP and since he’s having such a blast on the set of HP, I’m quite certain the director of DH will be…............David Yates, again.

And he’s obviously the best HP director. He got the BEST acting performances out of all the actors, managed to make the most boring book (though the book was still amazing) into something more action-packed and kept the dark, sinister mood the book had. He did all this with virtually no experience. Now that he’s directed OotP his experience has more than tripled….imagine what he could do in DH!

says:

While I enjoy the movies in general, I believe that series has suffered due to the fragmented vision of so many different directors. I can’t understand why it is more difficult to get one person to commit to completing 7 films than it is to get the entire cast on board for them. Obviously, the look of the films varies with each director and some are certainly better than others. I agree that Cuaron was a disaster. For one thing I just don’t get the music. It sounds like something that belongs in a Shakespearian play rather than a modern day fantasy. And even though I loved the look of OOTP I really missed some of my favorite parts of the novel and I felt that Yates focused on irrelevant topics. If you add up the segments with Filtch putting up the Educational Decrees it must be 5 minutes! And you couldn’t show us the portable swamp instead? Come on! Anyway, don’t get me wrong, I am a huge film lover and Potter fan alike, but I’d really like to see a fabulous ambiance, a unified vision, and the correct focus in the series as a whole. Also, I think that Del Toro might do a great job!

says:

I would really like for Del Toro to direct Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It would be cool if he and Cuaron worked together on that last HP film. Pam’s Labyrinth blew my mind away, and it was his own story. Not the effects, which were amazing but more like his ability to mix fantasy with reality, which is what the other HP directors left out on the films, those small Rowling details. Cuaron will leave details, like we saw in POA but Del Toro doesn’t seem like the person who would leave them out, seeing he’s a writer himself and knows the importance of them. Doesn’t matter if they’re buddies, they have very different ideas. Yates is a good director, and he stayed very literal to the film, but what people keep forgeting is that whoever directs Deathly Hallows, will have to fill in those blanks that the other directors left, like Dobby, and a bunch of other things. I think that WB should be afraid to make a 5 hour film, seeing that it’s their fault that the films left out so many details. They’ll will be kinda forced to, but then again they can make another crappy film to fit with the other 6. Also both Del Toro and Cuaron are Latin American which makes them completely different compared to the british and North American directors. They tend to make meaningful films, not just another film, they want them to stand out.

says:

Well, seeing as I have NO confidence in Warner Bros doing the last film right anyway, I suppose it would be interesting to see what a director like Del Toro could come with. If he were allowed to do anything similar to Pan’s Labyrinth (which I highly doubt) – it would be incredible.

says:

I liked PoA, but…

c’mon, David Yates was the best so far, we must keep him!

says:

As someone absolutely floored by “Pan’s Labyrinth,” I’d love to see DelToro direct DH, actually. While OotP is in many ways my favorite film in the series so far, it’s not really because of the direction, which I found a bit rote and episodic. That said, I also think Yates learned a lot and HBP will make that clear.

But DelToro’s style suites the material so very well! Of the people genuinely likely to be selected, he’s my choice.

Who do I really want? No, not Tim Burton (surprised?)! Not really the right style for the story, imo. ((on a side note, is there anyone who doesn’t think the title role for Burton’s Alice in Wonderland” should be offered to Evanna Lynch?))

Nope…I want M. Night Shayamalan! Think about it…

says:

I think Yates should stay for the 7th film, too. I like it when it’s the same director through a good sequence of films. Plus, I thought he did an excellent job with OoTP.

says:

nooo, not M. Night Shayamalan! Don’t get me wrong, I like some of his movies, but he misses as much as he hits. I don’t think he has the cappacity for a potter-flick. I like cuaron a lot for his vision. I don’t feel he left out anything crucial. Ik really like Yates, but I don’t think he really has the feeling for it. He has got great ideas for the character, he really get’s them and I think he must be a very intelligent man, but he misses the feeling for filmmaking that Cuaron does have. Mike newell made a nice movie, but honoustly, he doesn’t understand Harry Potter for one bit. And I’m not even going to discuss Columbus. He was good enough for the first two, but he lacks te depth and vision for the last one.

It feels to me that Yates would be a safe choice, but Cuaron might just be the best. Del Torro would be good too though, but Cuaron is allready familiar with the world.

says:

Okay, I didn’t like Cuaron, and here’s why. The whole film feels fake-not at all the emotion I got out of the book when I read it. It’s way too artsy. PoA probably has the most definite feel of all the HP films (I’ll give you that), but it is not the right one. I watched this film several times after it came out on DVD (and several times in the theater, too) and it was pretty good the first few times I watched it. All HP films are. It’s when you get to the point where you can recite it word for word that you start getting critical. Too many important things were left out. Someone who has not read the book would be left with the question, “How did Lupin know it was a map?” The connection between James, Sirius, Lupin, Petigrew and the map was never made. Someone I know who hasn’t read the book thought, “Yeah, they were friends, but I didn’t they wrote that map.” Plus, why is Harry’s patronous and a stag? Call me a purist, I guess, but PoA was all wrong. All wrong. Now granted, there are problems with the other films (watch OotP again now that we have all read book seven and tell me they didn’t leave important things out, like Lily in the memory, for example), yet still PoA screams mistake for me. Compare it to the other films-it feels different. Shouldn’t they all feel like they go together?

Which movie is my favorite? That would be Philosopherâ€™s/Sorcerer’s Stone. Why? It was the most true to the book and the feelings associated with it. Chamber of Secrets is close up there, too, yet I think even that film left some important things out. That’s why I say Chris Columbus for DH!!!! He is by far the best HP director so far. He’d make Harry go out with a bang!

says:

Okay, what’s up with the crossing out? I’ll re-post it. Maybe it will work now.

Okay, I didn’t like Cuaron, and here’s why. The whole film feels fake, not at all the emotion I got out of the book when I read it. It’s way too artsy. PoA probably has the most definite feel of all the HP films (I’ll give you that), but it is not the right one. I watched this film several times after it came out on DVD (and several times in the theater) and it was pretty good the first few times I watched it. All HP films are. It’s when you get to the point that you can recite it word for word that you start getting critical. Too many important things were left out. Someone who has not read the book would be left with the question, “How did Lupin know it was a map?” The connection between James, Sirius, Lupin, Petigrew and the map was never made. Plus, why is Harry’s patronous and a stag? Call me a purist I guess, but PoA was all wrong. Now granted, there are problems with the other films (watch OotP again now that we have all read book seven and tell me they didn’t leave important things out, like Lily in the memory, for example), yet still PoA screams mistake for me. Compare it to the other films, it feels different. Shouldn’t they all feel like they go together?

Which movie is my favorite? That would be Philosopherâ€™s/Sorcerer’s Stone. Why? It was the most true to the book and the feeling associated with it. Chamber of Secrets is close up there, too, yet I think even that film left some important things out. That’s why I say Chris Columbus for DH!!!! He’d make Harry go out with a bang!

says:

I think they should keep the same director. I’ve learned to love the movies, AS a movie fan, and not as a Harry Potter fan, because as an HP fan I’m not too fond of them, even though it is always amazing to see what you pictured in your head in the big screen. I think Yates is doing a good job, and trying out a completely new director for the most important movie is a risk I would not be willing to take. Or if they want to bring someone back, let it be Chris Columbus. But NOT Cuaron. Please don’t let it be Cuaron.

On other news, is THIS HBP poster REAL? http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/3549/1sthbpposterlf4pi1.jpg I don’t care if it’s not, I’m so making a blend with that!

says:

I think that Yates should get the job if HBP works as well as OOtP – even though I hated the part of the final battle scene where the screen play takes Bellatrix’ lines and gives them to Voldemort to speak inside Harry’s thoughts was way too much like Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker and did not really fit with the books. That being said, I really enjoyed OOtP otherwise and am looking forward to HBP. Adding another director’s vision at the very last installment could be a plus or a very big minus.

says:

I always imagined that TIM BURTON would do a great job,directing a HP film…think about it.After all he is Carter’s husband.He can convey a perfect sense of mystery and a dark atmoshere in everything he does(including Charlie and the chocolate factory!)
However DEL TORO is definetely my second choice!I think he is ideal for DH!I would be very happy to see him direct Hallows,only though if he can make the ending as touching as I want it to be.As for YATES,I have a feeling that the HBP will be the worst and least interesting of the three…the comedy is given too much space whereas Tom Riddle and his Dickensean story is somehow overlooked(where are the Gaunts??)—I don’t want to see HBP be turned out to an American Pie(with wands)...Del Toro is definetely good news!!!

says:

Interestingly enough, I think that OotP has been the best movie so far, even though it’s cut out/altered the most.
Obviously, the books are always going to be better than the movies, so people should recognize that the movies are a different entity, and having every single word/plotline be the same would be too tiresome (even for the most devoted fans).
I think the most important thing, for the movies, is to capture the most important scenes - ie Sirius’s death, etc - as well as the overall tone and theme of the particular book.
Anyone who expects the movies to be identical to the books is completely bonkers.
That said, I think Yates has actually done the best job—cinematically and otherwise, though Cuaron is equally close. I too have my problems with PoA (it being my favorite book), but I’m sure he could do a great job with it.

says:

I always imagined that TIM BURTON would do a great job,directing a HP film…think about it.After all he is Carter’s husband.He can convey a perfect sense of mystery and a dark atmoshere in everything he does(including Charlie and the chocolate factory!)
However DEL TORO is definetely my second choice!I think he is ideal for DH!I would be very happy to see him direct Hallows,only though if he can make the ending as touching as I want it to be.As for YATES,I have a feeling that the HBP will be the worst and least interesting of the three…the comedy is given too much space whereas Tom Riddle and his Dickensean story is somehow overlooked(where are the Gaunts??)—I don’t want to see HBP be turned out to an American Pie(with wands)...Del Toro is definetely good news!!!

says:

I really hope it isn’t Alfonso CuarÃ³n. The third movie is the one I really hated…
If Del Toro can’t do it, I hope they’ll keep David Yates!

says:

I completely agree with Tony. :D

says:

How come some people’s comments have crossed out marks over them?
It’s going to be a huge battle for who gets the final movie. I think Yates has been doing a pretty good, job. Though I secretly hope it’s not Alfonso Cuaron. It’s not that I don’t think that he’s a good director, it’s that I don’t think I can handle anymore shrunken heads…

says:

Cuaron and Del Toro are both amazing directors. I hope one of them directs Deathly Hallows. I enjoyed Cuaron’s work with PoA and Children of Men. Yes, PoA got rid of a few things, but overall the film was enjoyable and exciting. Del Toro did a beautiful job with Pan’s Labyrinth and The Devil’s Backbone. These are both great directors. Just please don’t bring back Columbus.

says:

I agree w/thoseof you who say that David Yates should finish out the series. TOOTP was excellent and POA was the worst!!! I still haven’t gotten over it!

says:

This has been bugging me for a while now so I was hoping someone could explain something. What is the problem with the shrunken heads? They are in the film for 2 minutes tops and have maybe 4 lines. I’ve always just seen them as adding not detracting to the overall atmosphere of the film. They do not interfere with the story in any way either in time or distracting plot so what exactly is the harm?

says:

David Yates for Deathly Hallows!!!! _

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I’m very nervous about this director because he is friends with Cuaron. POA was my favorite book and I think he completly ruined that movie. So if Del Toro has the same kind of directing that Curaon does, I would rather he not do it.

Also, with David Yates, I feel like he didn’t do the best job with OOTP. His goal was to make the longest book the shortest movie and to me, that is so wrong. I feel like the movie just jumped from one scene to the next without spending any real time on what was going on.

I really think they should go back to Chris Columbus, although I know that isn’t likely. But he is the one that started the movies and created that original magic in the films and I personally think he should be the only one to end it, especially because it was so important to him to stay as true to the books as he could. Sorcerer’s Stone remains my favorite film because of him.

says:

OMG! YES! Please WB, ask him for goodness sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The guy is basically begging, in a very subtle way!!!!!

Oh man, if he does end up directing it, I will be sooooo happy!!!! :D

says:

I personally for OotP to be the best HP film yet, which is surprising because the book left a lot to be desired. Yates found the best parts of the book and brought it out in the movie. If he does equally as well with HBP, then he should get first nod to direct DH.

I do agree that Del Toro may do a good job, but I would prefer to keep continuity; that means keeping Yates.

says:

OMG YES PLEASE! Guillermo Del Toro would be brilliant!!!!

says:

This poster is a really good fake !

I don’t understand how some people want Columbus on the last movie.
I have nothing against him but let’s face it, his two movie were not in the spirit of the books !

Of course the story is almost respected but even it looks like Harry Potter in the USA.

Columbus style was ok for the first movie but too bad they let him done the second movie. CoS should be much more darker !

Thanks to Cuaron the saga took another direction and a very god one, that’s why he should do the last movie, he deserves it !
Nevertheless it’s true that Yates is a lot better in directing the actors, thanks to him Dan made an wonderful job in Ootp.

And don’t forget that there are other deleted scenes for Ootp that the ones on the dvd !
(Lily, Macgonagall’s attack, Sirius and Bellatrix fighting).
I think that after the release of the last movie WB will sell a complete set with extented versions, unfortunately wee have to wait !

says:

No. He is well, no. I agree, Yates is the best director so far.

says:

Bring it on Del Toro! I for one would love to see a decent (IMO) director take on HP. IMO, there hasn’t been a decent one since POA, and I think Del Toro would be wonderful!

says:

I was very impressed with Order of the Phoenix and David Yates. He took the book I liked the least (by a long shot) and made it my favorite of the five films.

I was happy to read he’s back doing the sixth film and truly hope he sticks around for the seventh. If he doesn’t though, my vote would be for Columbus to come back. He did a wonderful job of setting up the world and staying true to the book in the beginning. But my first hope for the final film is David Yates.

The third and fourth films are fun, but the characters aren’t true to the book and Azkaban was way off the mark as far as the conveying the spirit of the story in my opinion, though Thewliss and Oldman both were excellent.

says:

I’ve always heard good things or him, but…if he is like Cuaron as far as directing goes, let’s hope he isn’t their pick. So far, I think Yates has done the best job getting the key plot and points across, even if the longest book’s film adaptation was shorter than the shortest book’s adaptation. I’m not bitter.

says:

I don’t know why most of you have it for Cuaron. I think POA made the best film of the five so far! Most of the ommissions you’ve all mentioned are mainly down to the scriptwriter, not the director. They collaborate on it, but its mostly the writers fault and WB for wanting shorter running times. As Yates said ages ago, his original cut was over 3 hours long or something….he has to whittle it all down to a time that WB sees fit. Which was the main problem for OOTP. Who in their right mind would make the longest book into the shortest film?

I think Alfonzo did an AMAZING job with PoA. I also like GdT’s work, and would really be excited for either of them to do DH.

says:

i hope, Del toro directs the movie, and amazing and artistic work, that is art that is movie abouts, imagine with Del toro, that will be amazing!! The DH needs somebody that could tell story’s, and not get boring, he will be the perfect choice, please even Cuaron, but not Columbus, Not Newell ( goD!, his last film sucked also like GOF), Yates wanst bad but he is not the best.

says:

Del Toro already turned down working on HBP (Yates wasn’t the first choice), and I doubt that David Heyman is going to be swayed by him pitching for the job through the press.

Everytime poor Alfonso CuarÃ³n’s name comes up there is a flood of venom here, but out in the real world, everyone knows that CuarÃ³n made an exceptional film and saved the series. It’s flawed but it summons the necessary cinematic magic. And Jo Rowling, by the way, is on record as saying that HP3 is closest to her vision. So I hope that everyone who disses PoA realizes that they have not only got the movies wrong, they have missed the essence of the books as well.

OoTP did well because it was coasting on the fumes of Newell’s success. There will be a big drop in the box office for HBP, just like there was for PoA after Columbus’ second film. Even if David Yates gets hired for DH, he’ll be swiftly replaced. TV directing, even with a $250M budget, still looks like T. The sad thing is that even though Dave Heyman might want CuarÃ³n or Newell for DH, they are both too busy to do it now.

says:

“Del Toro already turned down working on HBP (Yates wasnâ€™t the first choice)” Wait, where did you hear that?!

POA was incredible, the best of the series, but certainly not perfect. As such I think some HP fans are more bothered by tiny inaccurate details and thus fail to see the beauty of a film that actually captures the essence of the Potterverse. Sad really!

says:

Interesting thread to read, if only because it unscores how differently we look at the films….

my personal two cents re the Yates and Cuaron discussion, after watching each dvd repeatedly:

In PoA, subplots were ignored, or perhaps filmed and then deleted—in particular the story of the Marauder’s Map and Harry’s Patronus as others have noted. But, the bulk of the central story line was present in PoA. Would have been nice to have Quidditch and Sean Biggerstaff, but….

In OotP, on the other hand, considerable plot lines of importance simply do not appear at all: the locket in the drawing room of Grimmauld Place, no mention of Regulus Black at all, no Dobby (again), the fact that Petunia Dursley knows about demonters and “that awful boy”, no Mundungus, and so on. Still others are treated with passing indifference: that Phineas Nigellus has a portrait at Grimmauld Place was mentioned in a single, easily missed line in OotP. And—let’s be honest now—that bloody awful bashing to the Room of Requirement really did not make sense and creates unnecessary problems for both HBP and DH films! Add in comparatively minor changes to the story line (Harry threatens Dudley with his wand in front of Dudley’s friends, Cho as the ‘snitch’ who actually is innocent because she was given Veritaserum, the extremely short version of Snape’s Worst Memory with no Lily Evans in it )... and i am sorry, but i really detested the swirling newspapers substituting for actors and dialogue (the swriling Daily Prophets reminded me of the old Adam West Batman series on US television, my kid brother insisted on watching every episode, over and over, yeech!)

We can debate who is ultimately responsible—director, screenwriter, or editor (or some combination of the three)—for final decisions in film making, but I prefer faithfulness to the story line first and foremost when a novel is being transformed into a film. By the criteria of faithfulness to the storyline, then I would put Cuaron over Yates, easily. And I would put Columbus over Cuaron by that same criteria, tho he appears totally out of the running as director.

Just my two cents, obviously

I would add that in a Yates interview we discussed here on Leaky, about 4 to 6 weeks ago, Yates sounded as if he planned on being the director for DH.

says:

perosnally i did not like cuaron, POA just left out so much stuff. Im not saying i didnt like the third movie but it is definately my least favorite out of all of them. from what i have heard “pans labrynth” was really good and that it was very dark and magical, which makes me think he would be a very good choice for DH, seeing as that is pretty much what makes up DH.

i actually really like columbus for the first two movies… true i dont think there is anyway that he could or should direct DH but since the first two movies are not yet as dark as the others i thought he was perfect. he was able to keep the inocence of PS yet still keep it together, and I think that he added the perfect amount of darkness in CoS compared to PS… I understand why some people dont like him but this is just my opinion.

I agree with doublecore way at the begining of the comments… harry must go out with a bang! the movies will never take the place of the books but whoever ends up directing DH has to understand that we cant have the LAST movie be a flop… that would ruin it… best till last and we NEED DH to be the best it can be, so i just hope that who ever does direct the seventh one does a good job and doesnt hold back at all…

-HPfreak

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WOW budb,that was an amazing comment. You even brought up a few things i missed in POA and OOTP. Thanks i will go back and look> COOL< Makes me go back and read them again:)

says:

Didn’t read all the posts, but it sounds like the usual complaining about things that are way out of our control. Being a book purist, of course the first two movies are fantastic, and I think Yates’s did a terrific job with OOP. There are some things that really annoy me about POA inculding failure to connect the Mauraders with the Map, but over time I have forgiven it. However, GOF is sometimes just difficult for me to watch.
I don’t know del Toro’s work, but when I read the scene in Bathilda’s bedroom, I felt it was a real Tim Burton moment. Now that he is connected with the Potter cast through Sweeny Todd, who else would be better. But sadly I don’t get to vote.

says:

Nopeâ€¦I want M. Night Shayamalan! Think about itâ€¦<

I am thinking about it, and you are on to something. Shayamalan’s movies are uneven because he is not as good a writer as he is a director. Give him a strong script and a great story, and he’ll take the movie over the rainbow.

says:

if Alfonso Cuaron can’t do DH then Del toro would be a fine choice. but i really wish it would be Alfonso but seeing that there are still people out there that hated POA, i don’t think this would happen which is very sad because POA still and remain the best HP movie yet. I could only wonder how DH would have been if Alfonso did it.

says:

PLEASE. PLEASE DO.

Why doesn’t the blessed Peter Jackson continue on with The Hobbit then? Or why doesn’t somebody else do it? We need Del Toro so HP can finish with a bang.

Can you imagine the trailers for “M. Night Shyamalan’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”?

GAG.

says:

Actually – del toro can do the Hobbitt – if we can have the ‘blessed’ Peter Jackson. . I would LOVE it! We could have a proper DH movie…even if it had to be 3.5 hours…

says:

I am with a lot of the others in saying that POA is my lest favorite. I hate how dirty it all looks the school and its grounds look horrible in POA. I don’t think it was so artist or beautiful. I mean how many times do we have to watch the womping willow go after that stupid bird and those heads are just a waste of CGI money.

I would go with Yates not because he did the best job he could have done with OOTP (but he did not do a horrible job either) but because I think the 7th movie is too important to bring in a new director who may or may not stray from the story again. The 7th story need to flow and keeping Yates would keep the feel of the movies consistent with the two before.

I think one major problem with the 5 films when you watch them back to back is that each direct saw the story differently and it shows. I think it would be horrible to get another point of view for the last movie especially if it is from someone that may go after a more artsy aspect instead of the story.

says:

Del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron should make DH together, thus doubling the Mexican Magic and making DH the best movie it can be.

says:

ah, doublecore, it probably means i have far too much free time to think about such things, yes? thanks for your appreciation, always nice to hear

says:

Okay, I’m going to be as nice as I can about this, because I’ve commented on it so many times before.

What some Cuaron haters fail to do is their research. One of their top complaints is the shrunken heads. OKAY, well guess what. I’m here to put you out of your misery…AGAIN. Maybe this time you will listen. The heads were Kloves’ idea. Jo revealed this in an interview, which you can find at Accio Quote (I’ve posted the link too many times). She personally said that she loved those, and that she wished that she had thought of them herself.

If questioned, I’ll find the interview again and post the link AGAIN.

says:

Never heard of this guy, but all I know is I would love to see Chris Columbus come back for the last one!

says:

Why is it important to know that James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus created the Marauder’s Map? It is important to know that these four young men were friends and that Peter betrayed the Potters and not Sirius. These plot threads are included in the film. I like the mystery surrounding the map, but Cuaron and Kloves created a film that provides an abundant amount of clues (i.e. Sirius saying “the map never lies”, Lupin saying “Mischief Managed,” and throughout the film we see what each friend transforms into. Do we need to know that these friends called themselves the Marauders? Since I have read the books, as I am sure most of you have, you know this information and thus the film does not lose its emotional poignancy by explaining things you already know. Finally, I would like to say that I love the Whomping Willow and the bird. It is a means of communicating the passage of time and subtly foreshadowing the important role this tree will have later on in the story. It is also a means of introducing us to the new and more realistic geography of Hogwarts. By the way, no one has yet to explain to me how the shrunken heads or Tom for that matter can “ruin” a film.

says:

DeathlyH, hahaha. I agree. I love Mexican Magic.

says:

I don’t see why they can’t release it sooner I mean come on that IS 2 YEARS AWAY.

says:

Cuarron is so overrated it hurts…And while I’ve never seen any of Del Toro’s work and won’t judge him, if he’s anything like his friend, I say no thanks.

I’m sticking by Yates right now because I was pleased enough with OotP. If he nails HBP, I’ll be in his corner for DH.

says:

Forget things being left out- Cauron butchered the characterization of the trio. You can thank him for supergirl Hermione, goofy sidekick wimpy idiot Ron (there was a tad of that in CoS but not that much) and Harry and Hermione being the most important relationship in the trio. Notice how before PoA even in the media all members of the trio received equal attention? Hah. Not in a million years would I want him touching DH, a book so centered on the characters and relationships amongst the trio.

Del Toro is one of my favorite directors but if he’s that chummy with Cauron there’s a strong chance he’ll continue those characterizations in DH.

Keeping Yates promises better characterizations (if Steve Kloves doesn’t butt in and change that), because his grip on canon, while not perfect is ten fold better than Cauron or Newell’s.

says:

I wouldn’t care if Toro did HP 7. I also wouldn’t mind Cuaron doing it either (although I do worry about his concept of keeping story).

I just don’t want Yates or Columbus to touch movie 7. Columbus’ films were slow and boring. The second film was the only movie of the series that the actors were terrible in their acting. Yates did a good job on Ootp, but the film is lacking the great strength, originality that PS, Poa and GoF had. I do feel that Ootp could’ve been better with the tone and mood (and a different soundtrack).

DH is epic. Therefore, the movie will have to have a director who has had experience with epic movies.

says:

Laura, thank you! I believe she said that on the extra features for the POA DVD but it’s been a while so I could be wrong, but I remember that interview. People love to blame everything on the director as if they are the only one’s who make decisions for the films. Too bad we also have writers, editors, actors, producers, and let’s not forget the Big Wigs at Warner Bros who ultimately make the final decisions about these films.

says:

eh no thanks! i don’t trust him, he hasn’t done any other hp films so he might just screw it up and if he does he will screw up the LAST one…ooh no. i want yates back for the last…ok i’m panicking here, either yates or couron. noone else!!

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MUGGLENET GOT HACKED

says:

I think that PS and COS were great and then the acing fell dramatically in POA and GOF. Luckily OOTP was a bit back up to decency, if HBP is good I think they should stick with Yates and have continuity

says:

Wow, I was the one who invented the term “Mexican Magic” and people appreciate me! I just want someone whose name is NOT Chris Columbus, Mike Newell, Peter Jackson or Steven Spielberg (though I love Spielberg, he’s just NOT the right director for HP.) I’d like to see Cuaron, del Toro, or perhaps the ever-brilliant Tim Burton? Maybe even George Lucas?

says:

I also want to comment on the shrunken heads thing and Tom the bartender…

Did people miss that even JKR has shrunken heads in the 6th book? And didn’t she enjoy that in the PoA film?

Also, in the first book Tom is described as a bald, toothless man whose head resembled a walnut. The Tom in PoA resembled the Tom JKR described as the bartender for the Leaky Cauldron.

And it’s amusing how fans are showing dislike towards Cauron and PoA when Yates added a scene from PoA in the Ootp film. It’s the scene where they’re locking the doors of the entrance. That’s from PoA, and yet it’s placed in Ootp as an Ootp scene (not a flashback).

says:

Agreeing with Christine: she’s right in every single way.

says:

I also want to say that if it were not for PoA, Ootp wouldn’t have came out as good as it was (it wasn’t great). I mean, it seemed that Yates and the film crew tried making Ootp mirror PoA is its visual stance and way of moving time and characters.

Really, watch PoA and Ootp one after the other and you’ll see a relation to the two. So, it seems bogus that there’s so much hate towards PoA (for being “artsy”) but has much love towards Ootp, when Ootp tries to mirror PoA (especially in it’s action and “artsy” stance).

Amusing!

says:

Menastro’s right too about the bartender and the shrunken heads

says:

Menastro: I hardly think the fact that Yates used a scene of doors locking from PoA means that PoA is a great film and we have no reason to complain about it. If a director screwed up locking doors… well then I’d really be worried.

says:

Menastro: I can’t speak for everyone else but it’s the awful characterization in PoA that I hate. I can deal with the random whomping willow stuff and the reggae shrunken head, but when characters don’t act like themselves and the director takes so many ridiculous liberties with canon even outside that, that’s another story entirely.

Not to mention stuff like the bald werewolf. wtf?

says:

actually, i’m of the age where i am already regretting that i won’t be around for the re-make in about 20, 25 years! if done right that truly will be spectacular (Radcliffe plays Sanpe, since we now know that is the juicy role!)

says:

I have read every single comment on this thread so far (isn’t it brave of me?) and have come with these conclusions:
- apparently, being “artsy” is bad
- Cuaron creates the most passion
- many people like Yates because he is the less controversial
- many people who like what Yates did to OOTP confess they didn’t really like the book that much
- many people who want Yates for DH say they don’t want risks to be taken

If my characterization is true, then we should wish that Cuaron got the job. Which means that WB will offer it to Yates. Oh well….

says:

my friend thinks that bald werewolves look like kittys

says:

I’ve always wished that Harry Potter fans would get together in 20-30 years and make a remake. Because we’d all care to do the books justice, and to make that passion translate onto the big screen. I’m just putting it out there. Is anyone studying up to become a director? lol.

says:

a remake would suck majorly. only dan can play harry.

says:

This guy will be awesome… Pan’s Labyrinth was the best movie that’s fantasy that I watched (other than HP and LOTR)

says:

deathlyH, I completely disagree with you on that one :) For me, Dan is alright, but absolutely nothing like my own interpretation of canon Harry. So while I enjoy his performances I am really dying to see someone else take on the role at some point. I don’t think any one will ever perfectly match my version of Harry and I rather like it that way, but I would really enjoying seeing other actors interpretations of the character…. I hope I’m not alone on that one!

So yes, I think a remake would be incredible and am personally hoping the BBC or HBO gets to make a miniseries sooner or later. Well, later, rather, coz we all know it won’t happen anytime soon.

says:

a remake would be excellent. better actors next time around plz

says:

I think we all need to remember that we all have different opinions, and as first I expected the most from the movies but I have learned that the books are one thing and the movies are another. Besides any book based on a novel is always hard to transfer equally- the book is always better. they all are good and they keep getting better, yes they each have holes that we dont like but thats what we get with book to movie. But we all have our fav movie and opinion about which director did it best- lets not say one of the movies of the series sucked – really that is quite immature , they are all good in their own way. Just like it was very immature for people to call Helen McCrory ugly or old – just because she doesnt look like the ideal narcissa OUT OF COSTUME! she is very beautiful and is only 39. besides casting has never been bad!

says:

you dippies, a remake is not ever going to happen- that is just stupid to suggest – talk about a cheap cop out cause you didnt get your way!! talk about pure immaturity – keep it up and I’ll pull a Bellatrix on you! CRUCIO!

says:

With a re-make, 20+ years from now, Radcliffe will be pushing 40, and just the right age (and with tons of experience) for an role like Snape, Sirius, Lupin, or even Gilderoy? ...he’ll still be too young to play Dumbledore tho

The entire filming process would be so different, too. Most important, the production team—directors, writers, editors and on and on—will have had all 7 books in their hands (probably some of those future film makers will have grown up with Harry, and posted comments here on Leaky!), and won’t be trying to figure out what needs to be in movie 3 when book 6 hasn’t been published yet…that has been a drawback of churning out the films alongside with the books

but, also think about it in casting and filming terms: when shooting the scenes of 16 year old Tom Riddle for CoS, the scenes with 16 year old Riddle for HBP will also be shot. the shots of James and Lily Potter would all be done within a limited time, and then edited into the appropriate movie: let’s face it, it is a bit odd to have those characters appear to age as the films progress!

anyway, off topic i know, but something i’ve thought a bit about, and hope to be around to see….

ppsstt: Emma Watson as Trelawney? ;). Melissa’s kids as the staff of the New Leaky? ;))))

says:

I hate how the PoA fans always pull out the “jkr loved this film which means you have to or else!!” card everytime someone mentions that they had a problem with the film. DH is jkrs favourite book, so does that mean it automatically has to be my fav as well? She loves Ginny, does that mean I have to? No it doesn’t! We are allowed to have a different opinion from her, creator and all.

says:

Yeah, the advantages to re-doing the films in 20 years would be extensive! On top of the ones you mentioned budb, there’s also the fact that the films would probably not be as lucrative in 20 years time which means less pressure on the studio to appeal to mass audiences. So the films would actually be geared towards the fan base instead of EVERYONE, which would make a huuuuuuuuge difference. And personally, I think it would be pretty awesome if they had Dan, Rupert, Emma and Bonnie make cameos in the epilogue as the grown version of their characters… oh I can see it now! Man, I really hope this actually happens someday!

BellaSnape, nothing to get upset over, what’s wrong with dreaming? I personally love the current films! But would love to see remakes too!

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I know he won’t but I would love for Joss Whedon to write and direct HP7. He’s magic in my eyes.

says:

Someone mentioned George Lucas ?!!? HAH!

That’s a HUGE PROBLEM. The guy has definitely lost his touch within the last, say, 30 YEARS.

says:

Also, as a side note :

THANK GOODNESS for “Dan Rad” finally showing some acting ability in OotP. I don’t think I ever quite got over the unintentionally hilarious “He was their friend . . . HE WAS THEIR FRIEND!” line in PoA.

says:

danni, while I agree with your point that it is poor logic to say that simply because Jo likes a particular aspect of a movie doesn’t mean others must like it as well. I do, however, disagree that when someone says that Jo had no problem with the shrunken heads which Cuaron added to POA that person is saying “you have to” love the whole film “or else!” as you put it. They are simply saying that something which so many POA detractors belittle as not being canon, like Tom’s hunchback, can still be admired by the canon creator herself, J.K. Rowling. As for other issues which have annoyed me somewhat, I also find it misguided to claim that the manner in which Lupin’s werewolf form was designed is wrong when, sorry to ruin the fantasy, but werewolves do not nor did they ever exist, so the precise their precise appearance is completely subjective. I agree with BellaSnape, we all need to simply accept that there isn’t a definitive right or wrong when it comes to these films for the most part. If someone dislikes something it is most likely because the vision of the filmmakers doesn’t match their vision and therefore a particular film may not be their cup of tea. Meanwhile, another completely person could completely love a film because it fits their unique imagination/vision of the book or their personal artistic preferences. It’s all relative and subjective.

says:

Sorry for the typo, I meant to say: If someone dislikes something it is most likely because the vision of the filmmakers doesnâ€™t match their vision and therefore a particular film may not be their cup of tea. Meanwhile, another completely different person could absolutely love a film because it fits their unique imagination/vision of the book or their personal artistic preferences. Itâ€™s all relative and subjective.

says:

Some of the shots Yates used were great but then again, some of other ones weren’t. Deathly Hallows is a different book to all the rest, its set mostly outside Hogwarts and there are a lot of muggle features, etc. In the other books, most things have a magical element to them but Hallows is more ‘rough’ (I’m not saying its a bad book, its one of my favourites, Im saying that the ‘features’ and events are more mundane and real rather than magical) so whoever can direct a film like that should maybe be the director (maybe Columbus or Newell?)

says:

I loved both Pan’s Labyrinth and Children of Men. So, I would definitely love for either Del Toro or Cuaron to do DH.

However…

According to IMDB, Del Toro is slated to be the director of the movie adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “At the Mountains of Madness”, which is due for release in 2010. Seeing as DH is also slated for release for 2010, it would be a directorial nightmare for him to do both. So, I have no idea what Del Toro thinks he’s doing, fanning all these rumours of directing DH…

At this point in time, I think Cuaron stands the best chance of being handed the reigns for DH: he and David Heyman are already working together on the movie ‘The History of Love’ due out in 2009, with Heyman as producer (looks like he’s become a fan of Cuaron’s work). Furthermore, all of Cuaron’s other projects are also scheduled for release in 2009, which, conveniently, makes him available for DH.

says:

The Potter universe is dark, and artistic. The films are not meant to be a documentary where every line of the book is included. Listen to the audio books then if you want every paragraph. Jim Dale is an excellent actor and narrator.

says:

I forgot to add that POA is my favorite book of the first 5 but I didn’t enjoy the movie as much. I loved Lupin but Hermonie took over the movie and she was morphed into goddess instead of smart chick to Harry’s searching hero. Watson just hasn’t been Hermione since. And there’s the heads and Ron who? I love “The little princess” and think it’s a special movie so I don’t blame Cuaron altogether but just in case I don’t want him to direct the final movie. Pan is an exceedingly wonderful movie and I’ld be willing for Del Toro to direct DH. Joss is my dream though.

says:

Well, no one can accuse us HP fans of being a dispassionate bunch, now can they? XD I just finished reading through all 120 comments… I love this fandom and how enjoyably argumentative we can be. I think the wide variety of opinions on the films really shows that we all interpret the books differently which is actually a huge compliment to Jo! I mean really, the fact that clearly so many different people with such diverse ideas can relate to the Potterverse and make it their own is really incredible. In short, rock on HP fandom ;)

says:

I’m agree with Tony!, OOTP was good, not great! I think that Yates did a good job, but it coud be better . I’d love to see a different style in DH movie and I think that Del Toro is perfect ot direct it!

says:

I think that we should all see Sweeney Todd and consider the possibility of Tim Burton directing DH (it has 3 HP cast members- Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, and Timothy Spall)

says:

We just got the blu-ray box set…yumm… Anyway, I’m glad to see others were’t huge fans of OOP movie. I just watched it again and was (once again) so disappointed. It was one of my favorite books and I thought the movie was ho hum. I’ll be really sad if Heyman directs DH. It still bugs me that in interviews he was all boastful about making the movie so short. IMO, taking the longest book so far and make the shortest movie so far only meant that too much was lost…not that he was some great director. On the other hand, GOF was probably one of my least favorite books, but that movie - in watching it again - was actually pretty good. Effects are killer in HD, but even that aside, the plot and story was complete, character-building was nice.

just curious, did it appear to anyone else that some scenes were actually shot longer, and then edited down?

for example, when Dumbledore and Harry are discussing the prophecy, did it seem as if further dialogue should have been there, but had been cut? In particular, as the films stands now it has Harry asking “why didn’t you tell me?”....which only makes sense in the film if there had been lines from Dumbledore to react to (ie, that Dumbledore knew the prophecy, that Trelawney had made it, that they had been interrupted?) Ok, yes, we know that from the book, but the dialogue in that film scene just doesn’t match up as it currently stands, leading me to wonder about the editing, and a possible extended edition someday

there were other moments throughout the movie that seemed as if dialogue had been snipped….but the Prophecy discussion really sticks out in my mind

says:

Mike, that poster is a fake and they really should take it down. Sorry to disappoint :(

says:

Poor Mugglenet:( I’m glad leaky didn’t get hacked:)

says:

Well, POA grossed the least of any of the HP films, I presumed it was because not as many went back to see it a second time as the other HP films.

says:

I know it’s a matter of taste but the auteur, like Cuaron or Del Toro seem to take many more liberties with their films than other directors. They are (in my mind) like the Impressionists in Art. That’s fine. But, for the final Harry Potter film, I don’t want to see an artsy, impressionistic film. I want to see a magical, visual interpretation of the written word; a sweeping, gut-wrenching, graceful ending to the story of the Boy Who Lived. I want to leave the theatre with the same sense of completeness that I felt when I closed DH the first time and thought, ” Yes, that was the only way to end it.”

says:

Jeannine: I’ve always assumed that, since CoS made less money than PS, that PoA made less money because of theater-goers opting to wait for the DVDs instead, having grown accustomed to the bland adaptations by Columbus. PoA went on to sell insanely on DVD, and the films started making a lot more money in theaters again. I thank Cuaron.

Anyway, I hope Del Toro, Yates, or Cuaron direct DH!

says:

Jeannine: I’ve always assumed that, since CoS made less money than PS, that PoA made less money because of theater-goers were opting to wait for the DVDs instead, having grown accustomed to the bland adaptations by Columbus. PoA went on to sell insanely on DVD, and the films started making a lot more money in theaters again. I thank Cuaron.

What the—? Sorry about that. My computer’s freaking out right now. O_o

says:

i never liked POA as much as other films, so i don’t know….....he’s probably different, but by how much? PS…MuggleNet is done…......

says:

Nick: I have no problem with art films. Please don’t assume that people dislike PoA because it’s artistic. I’m a big fan of Cauron’s work outside PoA (I actually think his “Little Princess” is better than the original novel and “Children of Men” was one of my favorite films of last year) and I love Del Toro’s as well. However his version of HP? I thought it was awful.

PoA was all artistry and no substance and as TarotX also noted Hermione and Ron have still not recovered from the hack job Cauron made on their characters. They hardly resemble themselves at all in PoA or GoF. Rupert as an actor didn’t benefit either. He’s been shoved to the side ever since as the least of the three (look at the promo stuff for CoS- Rupert actually got more attention than Emma by a bit), although Hermione’s not-at-all-resembling-her-canon-counterpart makeover did wonders for Emma’s career. It really doesn’t matter how pretty the scenery is or how lovely the cinematography if everything else about the movie is bad. Even the quality of the acting diminished greatly in PoA. It’s not good when the acting in the first two movies, when they’re preteens- is better than the acting in the third and fourth.

To the earlier commenter that said the HP movies wouldn’t be where they are today without PoA- you’re probably right. They’d be better, because PoA started them on a path of deviation from JK Rowling’s brilliant concepts and character developments that is just unfortunate. Also, PoA made the least amount of money of the HP films and to be honest most non book fans I’ve talked to about it were unimpressed. The film is just boring.

Also to this- many people who like what Yates did to OOTP confess they didnâ€™t really like the book that much.

OotP was one of my favorite books and to be honest I disliked the movie when I first saw it. I hadn’t given it a fair chance. I went to see it again after I’d rewatched all the Potter films and it’s now one of my favorites. It made some stupid cuts that will hurt them later (i.e. the mirror) and it was not perfect. However, it felt a heck of a lot more like Rowling’s universe than PoA or GoF.

Danni: Not to mention Jo said that her favorite movie now is OotP. ^_*

TarotX: Josh Whedon for the win. I love this choice. He is a fan of the books and unlike a lot directors knows how to balance a large cast while making sure all of them are complex and multi-dimensional instead of cardboard cutouts.

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However, it felt a heck of a lot more like Rowlingâ€™s universe than PoA or GoF AND it was just a far more entertaining film. It never dragged. It was funny, was extremely successful at shifting moods (light hearted to dark), the acting was great, and the atmosphere effective. It was a better movie, simple as that. I think Yates, if he wants the job, will be back for DH. I don’t think they’d gamble on Cauron.

I have a question about Del Toro though. I have seen the “Hellboy” movie but have never read any of the comics. How true is the movie to that universe?

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I would love for him to direct DH, Pan’s Labyrinth was so good, and I think he would capture the mood and making the film with care and great visuals.

I feel bad for mugglenet!

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Ok I think the films should be looked first and foremost as films and shud stand alone by themselves without having to read the books to get what is going on. Just hearing my dad and other people who havnt read the books talk, columbus did a good job on making the films accessible to the movie-goes, not the harry potter fan, closely followed by goblet of fire(which i actually really liked, probably because it was my 2nd fav book[behing dh]). However, Goblet didn’t have much feel to it compared to POA and OotP. I honestly liked all of the movies, POA had the best feel, but it was the most boring of the movies. OotP was great to me as a harry potter fan, but everybody I talk to who hasn’t read the books asks me questions as to what was the deal with the dementors(which was not explained in the movie and if you watch Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter on the dvd, David Heyman asks what were dementors were doing in little wingin as if jkr was gonna answer it in the 7th book, sounds like he didnt read OotP carefully enough), and what harry was planning on doing when he went up to umbridges office(nobody explained it in the movie, harry just started saying he could use the flu network, but didnt say where he wanted to do exactly). However, i do think tat yates will mature as a director before film 7 and become better and hopefully realize that he needs to make it accessible to movie-goers. Reguardless of who is directing, DH has to have some good music, I got really annoyed with the music for the DA after a while. POA had the best music overall so far.

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(and sorry for the grammatical errors, but I am a bit tired)

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does anyone know why mugglenet has yet to make a comment about their hacked site>?

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I’m surprised people are excited about Del Toro simply on the strength of Pan’s Labyrinth. I’d rather see a bigger body of work before I entrusted something as dear as DH to a particular director.

I am fond of Yates’ treatment of Phoenix, Gambon finally turned in a performance of DD that I didn’t loathe. However, I’ve heard he plans on making HBP the “funniest” of the series …. huh? A light comedy featuring Tom Riddle’s rise to power and Dumbledore’s death?

My pick is Terry Gilliam; I’ve heard that Jo’s choice. As fond as I am of Tim Burton, I think he would have best done a movie situated in Hogwarts. NOT Newell, under any circumstances. Editing was accomplished with a machete and there was blatant disregard for characterization (of which Cuaron was guilty, too). It is going to take a VERY deft touch to wrap up all the “loose ends” without leaving important elements out and/or wrecking the movie’s flow.

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Ginevra: Del Toro also did “Hellboy” and “The Devil’s Backbone” both of which were good movies, but there’s no doubt “Pan’s Labyrinth” is his magnum opus. It is superb and his other movies, although good, do not hold a candle to it. That being said, I agree that one amazing film is not enough to warrant this amount of faith and I’m as wary of him as I am any other director.

Honestly though I do think HBP is the funniest of the books. The Riddle plot and the Dumbledore’s death plot are extremely dark and serious, but the other half of the book is rather lighthearted, more so than any previous book. What makes HBP great is the way it flips so successfully from the hilarious perils of being a teenager and the horrible and frightening history of Voldemort/the more serious plot. It’s not easy to tell a story that way, but Jo does it well. If Yates does it right, then HBP should be both the funniest of the movies AND the most unnerving/saddest of the movies so far at the same time. Let’s hope he’s up to it.

As for Terry Gilliam he would be great but he’s not interested in directing a future Potter flick. He was interested in the first film but well here- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Gilliam#Gilliam_and_Harry_Potter

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I really do agree with doublecore – the battle of hogwarts must be the jewel of all the films put together. That part in DH is the most intense, thrilling, desperate, sad and everything else I’ve ever read, and whoever will be directing must do that scene (and the whole book!) justice. Personally, I think Cauron screwed up some of the most important parts of PoA – the dementors, sirius and the story of harry’s patronus and the marauders.

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never head of this guy, but i hop e he’s good if he’ll direct DH and the hobbit

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oddly, I enjoy these threads—occasionally things get passionate, but generally we tend to be a bit more analytical and thoughtful about the various talents and faults of the directors, and the resulting films….

still, as we always end up agreeing, we can talk all we want, we have no real influence over who is selected and what they do…and we’ll still go to the movies, and buy the dvds when they appear!

perhaps Evanna Lynch will be able to assert more influence to ensure the story line is followed closely? After all, she is a fan “like us”

best wishes, fun discussion this….

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I hope for Del Toro to direct the Deathly hallows, or Peter Jakcson, or Bryan Singer. I am a bit disapointed over the filmversons. In film 5 I had ekspected more form the battle in the minstry. The books are the best :)

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Oh, please, not Cuaron, anyone but him. This movie will be so action packed and we don’t need it turned into some “artistic” Alfonso “cut major plot musts” Cuaron ruining another potter film.

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I do hope they get someone who can make the important bits of DH breath-taking and emotional, and not mess around unnecessarily with the story …mmm… not much to ask ;). By which I mean that they will obviously have to cut things but I hope they don’t change scenes just for the sake of it as has happened in one or two other films. It is by far my favourite of the books. I also hope they get Hermione right because I totally LOVED her in this book; Emma’s got work to do in making her softer.

For me the film that messes around unnecessarily is GOF, especially the World Cup scene, which really irritates me; there’s no reason why they couldn’t have the forest scene instead of what they did.

I may be a minority but POA is by far my favourite of the films (possibly my least favourite of the books). I agree that they could have slipped in a short reference to the Maurauders in the shrieking shack without making it too long though. But I have re-read the book several times and out of all of them I find it really drags in places. The film did well in cutting out the ‘guff’, especially the over-long Shrieking Shack discussion and the Quidditch. It also feels more ‘filmic’ than the others, OotP being closest to it in that respect.

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While I thought Pan’s Labyrinth was a stunning film visually, I didn’t get a real connection with the characters. In HP – I’m already in love with many of the characters, and I’m much more interested in seeing their story than any sweeping, epic screen shots. I disliked PoA the most of all the films, because I thought it lacked story amongst all the artsy overload.

So far, I’ve been really happy with Yates. I thought he did a great job of keeping what matters to me in the film – the overall story. Of course things have to be cut, and I expect that will also happen in the last two films – but I thought Yates seemed to “get” the characters. HBP has some seriously dark stuff happening, but overall, it’s also a coming of age story where our characters do act the most like actual teenagers. I’m really, really looking forward to seeing that portrayed on film.

If Yates gets HBP as well as I thought he did OotP, I hope they keep him for DH. I happen to think the consistency between the films helps. I know it’s just my .02, but there you go.

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My vote is for Alfonso….................Although , David Yates did a good job the magic was missing in OOTP .........

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Here is a question to all of you. How long do you think movie 7 should be? I have discussed this on other forums and it seem’s that it must be at least 3 hours plus. This seems to be the overal winner. What do you think ?

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I absolutely DO NOT want Cuaron directing the final installment! I was absolutely disappointed in PoA and do not want my favorite of the series to be ruined by him. He left out so many key parts and that’s not something I want to see repeated! Yates is doing a great job already. I also know that this is not the popular view…but Columbus helped to start this “little” project, found the kids and built up the ground work that everyone else has benefited from and built upon, I wouldn’t mind see him collaborate on the last one simply because he actually FOLLOWED the books! GASP! Yes, I said it out loud!

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doublecore – I think DH should be 3 hours. There’s too much in it for it to be shorter.

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I think Del Toro would do a fantastic job! I thought OotP was much too serious and devoid of jokes, whereas the book had me laughing out loud at times. (That said I did enjoy OotP)
Del Toro really knows how to convey magic on screen (Pan’s Labyrinth).
I really hope they give him the job!

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I think it’s about time for a “Who do you think should direct DH?” poll… :-)

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YAY MUGGLENET BACK ONLINE!!!

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Number 7 is going to be hard no matter who directs it. I thought David Yates did a fantastic job. But their is also the burn out factor. Making films on that scale takes a lot from you, it seems you hit the wall at two.

Chris Columbus, took three kids that never been on screen before and made
two very good films. Thats is why it sort of makes me angry when people say
he can’t direct. You are only as good as you work with. The only reason he did not do three and beyond was that he burned out. I think they wanted him to do more than three. He was tired and needed a break.

Cuaron sad to say is a hack, who took a good movie and made it seem like they were all in public school.

The closing scenes were very well done, to bad he forgot the rest of the movie.

I would like the idea of Chris doing the last film. He helped build fortune maker, so let him finish it.

Almost Deltoro is not a consistent director. He would make a mess of the last book. Which you could tell most of it was written a long time ago, most of it. Thats why the writting style is like her first books.

I think that Chris would pull it off like no one else. Not these want to be directors who want it more as a film credit than anything else.

Sincerely,

horas

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I want DH to be two movies, but I know it won’t happen. I would like it to be as long as possible. My biggest complaint with Yates is his idea that the movies should be shorter. No way.

Marjory: If your complaint with Yates is that his Potter wasn’t funny enough, why would you want the director of “Pan’s Labyrinth” which had nary a laugh worthy moment in its entire running time? It was deathly serious to an almost disturbing level (although I adored the movie). If Yates doesn’t let Kloves get carried away with his brand of humor (i.e. inserting his own jokes and not using any of Jo’s much funnier ones) then HBP will be hilarious.

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I agree with Kelly, horas, and potterfreak73. DH needs to be awesome (which means either three hours long or two movies)! Also, we need to keep away artsy directors like Cuaron and I guess this Del Toro guy. I want DH to be as close to the book as possible, and I don’t think we’ll get it with these guys. Also, I think it would be wise to use someone who has already directed a HP movie. So, Cuaron is out because he ruined PoA, and I was not all that impressed with GoF, so Newell is out. I liked the overall feel of OotP, even with the major plot holes that movie left (and I mean major). So Yates would be fine with me. But my top choice? That would be Chris Columbus! He stated it off fantastically (gasp, he actually stuck with the books and still got the tone right) and he will be the one to finish of our series with a bang. Yeah, I want Chris Columbus!!!

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Del Toro would be amazing. And hopefully he will sort Harrys wardrobe and hair out so he looks a little bit less like Tory boy.

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Re: the running length of the films. It seems to me (please correct me if I’m wrong) that the major factor is how long the audience is willing to sit. I suppose the theaters trying to cram as many people in the seats per day is also a big factor. However, everyone involved must realize that they practically have a captive audience for DH. I imagine that few people will be HP “newbies”, so to speak, and that the audience will be ready and willing for a very long film. And for heaven’s sake, if the credits didn’t take 20 minutes it would certainly allow for more story time.

Am I missing something? Are there other forces at work favoring shorter films, or is it all about the theaters being able to put fresh butts in the seats?

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The ultimate decision over running time is usually NOT up to the director (unfortunately), so whoever directs it will probably have an uphill battle whatever they decide to do.
I wonder if they would ever think of doing a 2-part movie . . . I remember one a few years ago, some horrid war period piece. It was like 4 hours long and they had a 15 minute intermission in the middle (just like a play).
I guess they could get some guidance from “Return of the King” on this one, because that was a rather long-ish, epic finale, but I think it was only 3 hours or something . . .

Regardless, if we want them to have the full ending in all it’s grandeur, they’re gonna have to make lotsa cuts at the beginning or chop up the end. (And I prefer the former.)

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I want John Williams or Patrick Doyle back for the score of the Deathly Hallows.
As far as Del Toro is concerned, I think he is a very good director and he did a very good job with the â€œPanâ€™s Labyrinthâ€.
I just hope that Warner Brothers will be extra careful with the final movie because it has to be great. It has to be the best.

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Guillermo is exactly what Harry Potter needs, he might actually bring something called a “vision” into it, the first movies were just about adapting the book, but the fact is movies are different and need another focus, to me the worst ones were definately the first 2 and the 5th one, and I am very dissapointed David Yates is doing the sixth one. Guillermo is an artist, but even with his artistic vision I think Hollywood might still damper is power. The movies are necessarily bad, but like Terry Gilliam said “pedestrian” (atleast the first 2), they didn’t take any risks to make it a work of genius. But I think after watching The Golden Compass I don’t think there can be a worse book to movie adaptation.

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I really am hoping that Del Toro directs the final film. I have to fundamentally disagree with the Yates supports and agree with the Cuaron supporters. A film adpatation has to stand on it’s own merit’s as a single film. While Yates and Newell have done commendable jobs, they’ve been a little predestrian in their approach.
The final film needs the distinctive stamp of someone like Del Toro, I enjoyed “Hellboy” and thought “Pan’s Labyrinth” was incredible. I’ll continue to hope Del Toro gets the job. I’ll also continue to hope John Williams is brought in the write the score.

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I got to say, I’d actually would watch the seventh and final film if del Torro was going to film it. I’d really like the seventh book. It was creative but it wasn’t Rowling’s strongest piece for the series.

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yay! i am soo glad that del torro is doing hbp, i would love it if he did dh to!

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@beatrice: I think one of us is confused….David Yates is directing HBP, currently in production, unless I am very mistaken.

Well, let’s just wait and see. DH is a ways, down the road, and it will be up to Warner Brothers. Again, my personal preference [should he do HBP as well as Order] would be David Yates. He has the “tone” of these later movies, I think. Again: JMHO..onward and upward?!

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What’s wrong to let someone with an artistic vision (gasp) direct the film. You can’t blame the director for missing plotpoints, because the scriptwriter decides those. So blame Kloves, who also wrote the first two movies I might ad.
Most people aren’t that creative and that’s why they like columbus’ version of the wizarding world, because it’s plane and that’s how they imagined it.
With cuaron they found someone who knew how to make harry potter a realistic and still breathtaking magical adventure, but they don’t like it, because it doesn’t look like the average ideas that they had themselfs.
Just ask movie-critics witch potter-movie they liked best and 9 out of 10 will say POA. Cuaron made great cinema. Something that a lot of those purists out there don’t seem to understand. (I know i’m being terribly overoppinionated, but I just had to speak my mind.)

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I would like David Yates and Guillermo Del Torro too though.

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I thought GOF was more about the TW Turnament then about the important info. I do hope that anyone who directs the last Harry Potter DH will focus on the truly important story line and the emotions that go along with it. I agree, spare no expense to have Harry Potter go out with a big bang!!! Please have the last encounter with the Dursley’s in the movie. There won’t be a dry eye in the house.

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I only hope they put a LOT of thought into who will direct this one. Being the (beautiful) end of the series, it would be tragic if they made a mistake. I find it very amusing that some of the directors who passed on the previous films (beneath them, maybe?) are now howing “great interest” in doing the last one. I guess great success brings them “out of the woodwork”.

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What a fascinating topic! I cannot help adding my own two (VERY long) cents, here goes nothing:

As much as I enjoy seeing the movie the first time, the rabid HP fan in me can’t stop analyzing it bit by bit, an this is where my liking of the movies dwindles.

To be more specific, I found that PS and CoS made me cringe a little because the acting was awkward for the kids, however I’m aware that you cannot demand award-winning performances from kids. Ok, I got that. As for the adults (most of them) are great, especially Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman, they’ve done brilliant jobs . The magic works well and as a whole Columbus got the delicate task of starting the franchise and delivered a couple of charming movies (albeit in PS the fx were rather poor).

PoA is a difficult call for me, I neither like or dislike it completely. I mean, after re-reading the book for the nth time or playing the audiobook, I am both pleased an irritated by it. Please because it’s artsy, real eye-candy, the tone is right the mood is dark, we even see a bit more in-depth performance (still a little forced yet promising). However, I weep at the butchering of the characters (we, the HP hardcore fan will always have a critical eye and see what’s missing) but those who haven’t read the books lost a lot of information (ie massive gaps in character development, relationships, etc)

Now for all the directors/screenwritters additions my view is that as long as it doesn’t interfere with the essence it doesn’t bother me. Nevertheless, I do feel upset when I see a plot twist simplified or even sacrificed to put something dull or even pointless instead. And GoF has too many of those and is therefore my least favorite movie. I enjoyed it the first time I saw it, but I found it ghastly on second thought. They took the plot, blend it and assembled something that resemble a patchwork of snippets from the book oh and Gambon went array from here on the man should hold his acting hippogriff, really. Notwithstanding, they’ve managed to make it cohesive as a whole but they’ve meddle to much with it for me (ah the woes of purists!)

Finally, Yates has done well for OotP but I haven’t had enough time to dissect it thoroughly. All in all, the performances are solid, the tone is right (even if a lot has been sacrificed). I do, however, feel let down by the bonus (so far I’ve just rent it, the French version isn’t for sales yet) but where is the rest of Snape’s worst memory??? (if there’s any). Doesn’t this constitute a giant plot-hole? Oh and what’s this “Tonk’s tour” thing? I would have preferred the BBC special on the magic behind HP. I’m such a HP geek I absolutely adore hearing about ridiculous details such as the hand painted 19th century faux-silk-moth-eaten-looking flowers on Sirius’ coat than Natalia Tena trolling around the set… Ah well, I’ll have to wait for some ultra-limited edition of the dvd to see if the actually got Lilly in or not.

Final random thoughts:

Am such a HP dork that I’ve been wondering if Bill/Fleur’s ship will feature in the movie, what with it’s importance to start DH, any thoughts?

I hope that people are aware that Yates might be either too busy or burnt out (like Columbus) or even fed up, to see to DH.

I hope that some WB’s muggle-houself reads all of our comments and conveys the gist of our worries to the big wigs up there (for that person:->)

WB: stop compromising the plot, be true to the story, mend the holes of the past 5 movies (and those coming in the 6th), keep your writers on a leash and let the wonderful world of JKR blossom as it ought to, give us a lengthy finale -> put a frigging intermission with dancing gnomes if you have to, but make it LONG. Kids are able to sit for long period of time in front of their tvs, computers, playstations or whatnot so there are NO excuses

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I agree that it would be very risky to bring on a new director for DH. It’s not a risk I’m willing to take and I have a feeling WB feels the same.

That being said, my vote is for David Yates if he is up to it, and I think with his enthusiasm, he would be.

While I enjoyed POA, I agree with those who say Alfonso took too many liberties. When you compare it to the first two, which is what most people did coming out of seeing it the first time, you will see that he changed the book and feel drastically. I think the feel was great, but I did not like him cutting out sub-plots just for the sake of cutting them. I remember hating Quidditch being cut! It took so much for Oliver to win that cup, and he cuts it? But I can forgive that. I feel robbed of the Marauders history, and it is not something I can forgive as easily.

SS and COS were almost right on with very few changes in SS and some in COS. Chris Columbus followed the books and I don’t think anyone will be able to match his faithfulness to the books.

GOF is ok. I liked it when I first saw, but I think that was because it was a fresh movie. I still like it because I like all the HP films, but I think GOF is the poorest adaption of the 5.

OOTP was pretty darn faithful to the book considering it was a 870 page book. I think it should of been a bit longer, but we can blame WB for that. I didn’t like some of the changes the made. The prophecy being the biggest, but OOTP is still my favorite of the 5.

As a film, OOTP is the best followed by POA. As an adaption, SS and COS are the best followed by OOTP.

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I still don’t know if it is fair to stigmatize Cuaron for missing plot threads. Certainly directors influence how a story is told, but Cuaron was working off of a script written by Kloves. If we are debating Cuaron’s ability to craft a well-made film, perhaps it would be more judicious to consider that he is up for the task if he is supported by a well-crafted adaptation.

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well said Jeanette, I feel the same way, I feel that the 7th movie needs to be like 4hrs and really true. really they make to many excuses about the length of movies. I think that the story of Bill and Fleur will be replaced with Lupin and Tonks- personally i think that would be romantic and pretty, but they would only have a short amount of time to introduce the story of them having a baby and him being born by the end of the movie. Like Dan said himself the writer will have a hell of a time transfering this.

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well, i have to say that i will love to wath DH if del toro is gonna make it, i just trust him, hi seems to be a great director.

david yates did a good job however i think the last movie could be much better… i dont know why but i feel that OoTP is not my favorite one….

we’ll have to wait and see what WB is gonna do…..i hope they choose Del Toro for HP stories sake

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really, i would much prefer david yates to continue directing. I know they like to switch things up to keep it “fresh” or whatever, but really…i think that order of the phoenix has been the absolute best movie of them. chris columbus was really good, but i dont think he would do so fabulous with something like Deathly. CuarÃ³n was pretty good, but still there were flaws, but overall i must Prisoner would have to be the 2nd best movie (so far that is, because i’m sure Half-Blood will beat it out, of course becuase it is directed by yates). Goblet was absolutely horrible. i’m sorry to anyone who really liked it, but i really despised it. so that guy….NO. i saw portions of Panâ€™s Labyrinth and it was pretty good. so i’m sure that if he was the director for Deathly i’d be satisfied, but i would much PREFER david yates to continue through to the end. i think his portrayal of the battle of hogwarts will be much more spectacular than the battle in the ministry simply because in the book the battle at the ministry was not spectacular. it was short, sweet, and to the point. the battle of hogwarts will be much longer, more cinematic, and just plain better.

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Christine: If you look at the original script for PoA by Steve Kloves there actually are some major changes made by Cauron that screwed things up. Steve’s script (bear in mind I think his script-writing is rather abysmal but nonetheless) features less deviation and general wtfery than Cauron’s final product does. It is still pretty bad, I think, but it is somewhat less cringe worthy. The director has the ultimate say. It is perfectly viable to blame the director for the screenplay being bad. If something is wrong, the director should fix it!

I have to agree that the Columbus hate is a really big let down. People always talk about how his Potter universe was too bright and upbeat, but that’s how the first books are for the most part! Even the dark plots in books one and two are presented with a bit more cheek than some of the ones in the later books. The first two films matched the tone of the first two books, and there’s no reason to say that he couldn’t match the tone of DH as well.

Now what we need is a new scriptwriter.

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HA.

We should just stop all this nonsense and have Peter Jackson (of Lord Of The Rings fame) direct it.

You know he’d put in an ending that is true to the book and fans. Return of the King is nearly 4 hours long, so you know DH will be just like it.

And don’t forget a kick ass fight scene… complete with orcs.

and for those of you die-hard fans with no sense of humor, this was a joke

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Kelly, the director is officially not responsible for the screenplay except in cases where they have co-writing credits. The person who ultimately okays everything is the producer. Unlike the later directors, Columbus has producer credit for both his films.

The people whose opinions matter is the moviegoing public. Films with huge budgets like the HP series are aimed at the broadest possible audience. The filmmakers don’t make these films for people who who sit through the movies with the book and mark out everything they don’t like with highlighter pen. The producers aren’t interested in the internet chat room demographic.

Columbus and Yates seem to strive for edited audio books with pictures, whereas Cuaron and Newell set out to make a movie that works in its own right. I hope for DH we actually get a movie, not a TV drama with expensive cinematography and VFX.

Del Toro, by the way, is another director focused on the cinematic experience. There is no way he would opt to follow the book in a place where it couldn’t be made to work on screen, nor would any decent director. However, he’s a very uneven filmmaker, and even his best films are plagued with dull sequences. While I’m sure his adaptation would have moments of brilliance, DH needs a director who can find the essence of the story and who can really deliver on a grand climax. David Yates is absolutely not that director, nor is Columbus.

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Oh my God – DON’T let HIM or Curan ANYWHERE NEAR THESE MOVIES!

PoA was the WORST of them all. He didn’t even focus on the story line at all! I guess he didn’t have any room to tell the story after filming the Whomping Willow, the stupid head in the Knight Bus, and the rest of the scenes that had little or nothing to do with the story. I remember he wanted to have “little people” playing the piano in the great hall until JK herself veto’d it.

They are brilliant driectors when filming their own stories, but please, for the love of God, keep them away from the HP franchise.

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Why must some people get silly by wanting another egomaniac like Alfonso Cuaron to direct the last movie?
Keep to a sensible director who will put the series first not his own ego.

says:

Will or Wont: Then why is the original script for PoA so much better than the actual movie? You’re saying that on the set that day Cauron could not have gone “no do it this way” and thus changes were made? And Cauron hardly delivered a grand finale to PoA. It was boring, contrived and turned Hermione into a Mary Sue. Even Sirius seemed to be more impressed and interested in Hermione than his own god son. Also the scene at the end of the finale where they meet up with Ron in the hospital room? Hands down the most out of character scene in all five movies so far. Newell’s final battle with Voldemort was strong, but the movie would have been more successful ending with the scene in Pomfrey’s (which through book four was JKR’s favorite thing she’d written). Also the third task? Attacking hedges? A bit silly after the spiel about how “this maze changes you.” I’m sure they’re all traumatized for life after hedges attacked them. laughs

The people whose opinions matter is the moviegoing public.

I completely agree with that, but if you look at the international grosses for the movies they’re in favor of Yates and Columbus but quite in disfavor of Cauron.

1- Philospher’s Stone
2- Order of the Phoenix
3- Goblet of Fire
4- Chamber of Secrets
5- Prisoner of Azkaban

It seems they’re quite okay with Newell but PoA made almost one hundred million less than the fourth place movie- CoS. It was the only movie that didn’t break eight hundred million and the gap between CoS and it is almost as large as the gap between fourth place and first place. Grosses show that the moviegoing public appreciates the supposed “tv drama” approach quite a bit.

says:

KELLY, you judge a movie on the amount of money it makes. Then you must think that transformers is the best movie in the world and michael bay the best director.
Gof did better than POA, because people realised after the third movie was out on dvd that it wasn’t as stale as the columbus-films anymore.

THE QUALITY OF THE FILM DOESN’T DEPEND ON IT’S GROSING. It depends on what the critics say. And 9 out of 10 think POA was the best.

says:

anybody have a link to the video, you cant access outside the US

says:

i hope it is at least 20 years before any remakes-—of anykind -—are made
and even then WB and JKR would have to approve them.:o)

Del Torro would be fine

says:

MINDY: i must strongly disagree with you.
Goblet was the worst film of them all.
much much much to choppy.
true to the book, yes, but it barely had half
the stuff from the book in it.
but what actually was in the movie was pretty
acurate.

says:

and i cant remember who posted about this, but most people are thinking of the movies as just adaptions from the books. its very important to think of the people who have not read the books, who see them just as movies. so i think:

because if you think of PoA in a movie sense, it reall was pretty okay, just as long as you dont compare it to the book. =]

says:

Redbeard,

When a movie makes a lot of money at the box office, it means regular people liked it.

When a movie has critical acclaim, it means a few pompous, blowhards liked it.

Time and time again the critics prove that they are completely out of touch with the opinions of regular people.

says:

For all those who think box office gross is an indication of quality filmmaking and that film critics are snobby, elitist, and out of touch, it is certainly incorrect to use popularity as any sort of gauge on its own. Consider that the most popular kids in school are not always the nicest, smartest, etc. Furthermore, box office gross is influenced by the date of release, the quality of the actual book (some of the books in the HP series are simply more appealing than others), and the number of theaters showing the film. Not to continually bash Transformers, which I admit I have not seen, but it got terrible reviews, yet still made a lot of money. The same is true of the number one movie in the US right now, National Treasure. Regarding critics, these individuals deserve our respect. Many of them have studied film, literature, and history at prestigious universities to understand the craft of filmmaking, so as to better judge the quality of films. If my doctor studied medicine at an Ivy league college, I wouldn’t think his recommendations were elitist but based on a strong knowledge base. Also, for the most part, many of us do not know a film critic personally so it hardly seems fair to call them names. Critics can love crowd pleasing films i.e. Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, and some of the other Harry Potter films. I’m not sure the same arguments would be made in defense of Columbus if his films got glowing reviews, but few people saw the movie, which by the way, would never happen because the HP books are so popular that it seems anything made related to it would be seen. For instance, if the Cuaron haters knew he directed DH, would they really not go to see the movie? Also, can those saying the POA or any other movie is the WORST movie, please say that it is the worst “in your opinion,” instead of proclaiming it as fact. Finally to end this horrendously long post which I apologize for, I must defend Hermione. I think some of you need to read POA again. Ron is left back in the hospital wing injured and Hermione is not only a smart witch (we can all agree that this is absolute canon, right?), but she is also the only one who has and knows how to use the time turner. Therefore, it makes sense that she would take charge in the final act. Emma’s beauty is not played up, as she is wearing clothing that is very modest and typical for any girl her age and was actually worn by the Patil twins in GOF (were they too pretty?). The book also has her slapping/punching Draco, which again I think we can all agree he deserved. It confuses me why some seem so threatened by Hermione being portrayed as she is in the books, as a courageous and intelligent young woman.

says:

I liked david yates, he was the best in my opinion. It could of course could have been better, but I think he was the best, especially considered to the third movie. The third may be great to some people, but I think a lot of stuff were left out that were important, and it really didn’t capture harry potter as harry potter. it was too dark for the third year. my least favourite was the fourth though, it was just first task, second task, third task, and that was it. it jumped so much that you didn’t have time to enjoy the year, it was all tasks. The last movie will be like the last book, people will either love it or hate it, no matter who directs it. Please keep David Yates.

says:

when’s DH being filmed? cause from what i understand Del Toro is going to start working on At the Mountain of Madness after finishing up hellboy2. he may be interested but i doubt he’s gonna put that project aside for it.

says:

Thanks Gingerlibby, you say what I mean, only you say it much better, because English seems to be your native language and I think you are a very patient human being for explaining it that way.

says:

Say what you will, but I still think the best movies of the bunch were SS and CoS. Chris Columbus stayed truest to the books (which is what HP fans want) and retained the heart and feeling of Jo’s writing. I really felt disconnected with the last 3 movies, PoA in particular. The feeling and emotion just was not there like it was in the first two movies. I say to whoever they get to direct, stop trying to make an artsy film to advance your own career and make the movie that Jo would make if she were directing. That is what all HP fans really want.

says:

Erika,while I wholeheartedly respect your personal admiration of the first two movies, which are beautiful, in their own way, and true to the source material’s content, drama, and sense of humor, I would prefer as a HP fan myself, that you please not speak for me by saying that what you want is what “all HP fans want.” I am a fan of the books and the films and I want the Harry Potter movies to be well made, critically acclaimed, award worthy, and respectable pieces of film which are equally beloved by HP book fans as well as the general public. If this means having a certain form of cinematography or script, then so be it. In addtion, the first two films may be truer in content to the books, which we all should recognize are significantly shorter than subsequent installments, it is my opinion that POA and OOTP are truer to the spirit of the books’ increasingly somber and emotional tone. In fact, while I cannot speak for other viewers, I am certainly more emotionally affected by a POA scene like Lupin and Harry’s conversation on the bridge than the standing ovation to Hagrid at the end of COS. Lastly, since when did “artsy” become something bad?

says:

This is all getting back to what I said in my post earlier- we all have way to different of opinions for one of us to be right. AND believe me they will never remake these movies, so please keep that silly dream to yourself, there may be some of us who absloutely HATE remakes! about 99% of them are never better than the original.

says:

Thank you, Tony! I wholeheartedly agree (except that I find OOtP amazing. I didn’t like it so much on the first read: I suppose because I was holding my breath the whole time, waiting for something awful to happen, and that can get exhausting after 800 pages – was that your problem? Or you just don’t like it?)

If you ask me, as long as David Yates doesn’t do DH, then I’m fine. I am so angry at what he did with OOtP. I fully understand that the movies aren’t the books – PoA deviated as well – but it was still funny and rich and true to the emotions of the book. OOtP is such a rich book – the biggest of them all – filled with angst, drama, romance, terror, self-doubt… it’s really good.

Dan didn’t yell in any scenes. Harry goes berserk in some parts of OOtP (book); you can feel it. Yates could have at least had some scenes of Angry Harry, for crying out loud. It makes for great drama. Rupert was on screen for all of 2 seconds (and he’s pretty funny), and Emma hardly did anything. Thing is, I can’t blame the actors, because I’ve seen Rupert and Emma act more in Sorceror’s Stone. But Yates doesn’t seem to realize that there’s a difference between being tense and being dead.

Not that he was all bad – the effects and much of the cinematography, even some angles and reaction shots, was pretty amazing. And I honestly think that the actors did a good job. It’s just that their roles were so limited that they couldn’t do much more than nod or frown. And I hate that he took the thickest, richest book and made it so bare and skeletal. Yeah, he kept to the tone, but sucked almost all of the fun and humor and deep emotion in it. I’m really proud of Dan; I think he did a great job. But in order to capitalize on Dan’s drama skills, Rupert’s comedy, Emma’s passion…. they have Alan Rickman and the Dame Maggie Smith, for crying out loud! Don’t tell me they’re not capable of some heavy acting!

Grr. I just think David Yates should, in the words of my government teacher, go fly a kite and stay the hell away from DH.

says:

Oh, and Gingerlibby, I understand what you’re saying about PoA and OOtP staying truer to the tone. I think that they stuck very well to the tone, but so did Chris Columbus in SS and CoS. You have to remember that the tone was much, much lighter in those two movies – not because necessarily of the themes, as we’re dealing with someone drinking unicorn blood (scared the SH out of me when reading SS) and bigotry, but with the Trio’s innocence and the much lighter setting. So obviously PoA will be more emotional, because the characters are more emotional. Chris Columbus shouldn’t be faulted for staying true to a sweet, happy, lighthearted moment – because that’s what the books were.

With that said, I would like to see how Chris Columbus would work DH. His other work has been fantastic; he maximizes the acting potential of his actors: Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone, Rent…

Do you remember in CoS, in Hagrid’s Hut after Malfoy called Hermione a Mudblood? Did Yates get Emma to shed a tear in OOtP when they were caught by Umbridge? No.

I think that Columbus would be able to bring out the grief and hopelessness of DH quite well, and I sincerely hope that he directs it. If not him, though, then anyone but Yates.

And I agree with you about Hermione ;) I just think that they really ought to make her hair bushier. Hermione is a confident and strong girl, but it’s not going to do well for HBP if Hermione doesn’t look like more of a bookworm. It’s part of the drama – Lavender’s a pretty little bubblehead, and Hermione is the bushy-headed spirited little bookworm who is pretty – but only if you look a little closer.

I hope Yates has Emma a lot more take-charge and fierce in this one (HBP) than she was in OOtP. And Rupert with all his funny little faces and voices, which will be great for Ron in the HBP scenes. And assuming that it isn’t Michael Gambon’s fault (because he was better under Cuaron in PoA), I hope that Yates has him more friendly and quirky for his scenes with Dan. I don’t really have any worries with Dan; Yates can’t shun him like he did Rupert and Emma, as he is the star.

says:

Thanks for the comments, Ginny Potter. I am with you with Hermione/Emma. I usually don’t get too wrapped up in the physical appearance of the actors, but Emma’s hair in the latest film was simply too blonde, and while it was acceptably curly, a little more bushiness would be nice just as it would be nice for Dan to get the long, messy, dark hair that he had in POA.

I also agree that Columbus did stay very true to the lighter more childlike tone of the first two books, and he was, overall, a fine choice for director to for the first two films (I do think COS was too long, though). I must, however, respectfully disagree he elicits great performances from his actors and that he would be a good director for DH. It is my view that the performances of the trio were average to slightly above average in the first two films, the peformances seem overly choreographed i.e. yell in unison at Fluffy, yell in unison at the Hogwarts Express coming towards your flying car, but I admit that they were inexperienced kids. So, I am hesitant about Columbus.

However, one thing I think we call all agree on is that DH is going to be a very challenging book to adapt to film and it has a lot of very high expectations being placed on it that surely it will be unable to ever live up to. Still I can’t wait to see it.

says:

This is off subject but now that were in 2008 I really cant wait for november , Half Blood prince is my fav book because I am madly in love with Snape- I couldnt believe he was the prince but I did guess the first time, after ch.6 when I found out about the old potions book, who else could that be. I think that this is really going to be suspensful with the dark to light back to dark in it, even the 2min previews we have seen look awsome.

says:

How is it okay to forgive Yates for all of the missing material, and then bash Cauron for it? It does not make sense to me! I know most fans hate POA, but I still think it is the best Harry Potter film yet. Yates did a good job, but I feel there was more important information missing from OotP than POA. I personally would love for Alfonso to come back, and I think Del Toro would be great, too. I just hope whoever directs Deathly Hallows is up for the task. I’m ready to see a big, epic Harry Potter movie…

says:

I am going high on a limb with this one. I felt that the last book had an epic feel to it and therefore thought maybe Peter Jackson. I was dissapointed with the OoTP movie. It needed much more story ( I only read books 5-7). I was thus upset by the loss of story material, as well as acting ability in my opinion. However, that being said, I don’t know if people know this, but there was another brilliant director/actor who was once asked if he would have been interested in directing … Kenneth Branagh (aka Gilderoy Lockhart). He has done it all, and quite successfully (2 BAFTAs, 1 Emmy, 4 Oscar and 1 Golden Globe nominations). Think about that one. David Yates can set a good mood, but he doesn’t know how to bring out the talent of his actors like Branagh could.

says:

Yates!!

The books have the scripts, so for the director’s to do something completely different with the movie, erm..shrunken heads in PoA, takes away the integrity from us book readers. But again they don’t care, they just want to add their individualistic/artistic side to the movie completely nulling out a connectivity of a series, which is what the books are about. Look at LoTR compared to HP, now HP gains more monetarily, but completely different directing styles and you can tell the difference.

says:

I may only be speaking for myself here, but the shrunken heads did not insult the integrity of the books or myself. I actually just thought they were kind of fun, if not slightly annoying. Who cares? They are in the film for maybe three minutes and have absolutely no impact on the storytelling. Frankly, since I have had so much fun with the series and since it has sparked the creativity of many fans, I think it is great that a director can understand Rowling’s world well enough to generate ideas consistent with the spirit of the books. In fact, I believe Cuaron’s greatest strength as a director was his innate understanding of the world. This understanding and love of the Harry Potter universe even allowed him to include elements in the film that directly foreshadow HBP and DH. In other words, POA is very much connected to the rest of the series.

says:

lol I should have read the postings first…
- To the beginning posters about the actor who played Gilderoy Lockhart, he gave interview that was posted here at Leaky and he said he would find it unlikely another director would be contacted for the final installment of the HP movies. To which I completely agree, they have about four to choose from I think it wisest to stick with someone who is familiar with the story and the actors.
- To Steven Nerenberg: in whole-hearted agreement I think Jackson did a spectacular job with the LoTR series, he kept as close to canon as you can get while maintaining all the tone, mood, flair, and thematics that movie-goers can enjoy. Jackson, however, gave New Line Cinemas some lets say lawsuit trouble, so I don’t think he will be contacted by WB.
- To the rest: there’s a lot of arguments about which movie is better, which I think is erroneous and here is why it’s the director’s job, especially in the final installment, to ensure there is a sense of continuity between characters, plots, and locations for all of the HP movies. I think this has been ignored by the latter directors, they keep reinventing Hogwart’s locations, Hermione’s look, not giving certain actors such as the one who plays Dean Thomas enough screen time to show the movie-goers how important they will be in DH. Yates, I believe, did a great job with such a long book, as some have said already it was highly emotional and kept in the ominous mood of the book. I agree there are scenes and certain sayings that I wish would have been present, because I think certain scenes and characters are confusing to the just movie-goers. Althought PoA use to be my personal favorite, until OoTP, I disagreed about the shrunken heads and the random kid who took majority of Dean’s lines—again erroneous.
- What I hope the director does do is firmly establish some of the loose ends before DH, otherwise parts of DH I don’t think movie-goers will understand, which takes away the effect of a movie if the audience doesn’t understand what they are seeing. Now perhaps WB is aware of this issue, because earlier the cast a meeting with all directors, JKR, and WB heads to see about making an 8th Harry Potter movie.

says:

Sorry for posting again I just wanted to apologize to Christine, because I didn’t mean to offend or speak for everyone. I just find it interesting that the director’s have JKR herself to talk with, the hundreds of pages of a book, and yet they add their own personal flair then negate to add certain plot points, and then answer those questions by saying there is only so much time to put in movies. And seriously watch HP then watch LoTR I hope others see the continuity I was taking about, if not well then don’t take it personal it was just a comment. And also PoA was one of my favorite movies, so don’t speak for me either.

says:

Ginny, there’s no need to apologize. I’m sorry if my post sounded kind of intense. The truth of the matter is there is no way any director, screenwriter, actor, composer, special effects department could ever come close to recreating the wonderfully rich, funny, sad, epic, and yet intimate world created by Rowling. I am equally frustrated when the filmakers seem to casually disregard plot points. Why, for example, did Newell choose to put Hermione in a pink rather than a blue dress? Instead of showing Ginny longingly gaze at Harry, why couldn’t Yates and Goldenberg actually allow her to say something?

I think you are absolutely right, Ginny. As a huge LOTR fan, I have to admit those films are consistent and are very connected to the source material. New Line really lucked out with Peter Jackson. Still, those three films are really just one film/book broken up into three chapters. They also had the advantage of filming all films simultaneously. While I would absolutely love the HP series to be afforded the same treatment, it is impossible. The seven books span seven years and seven separate yet connected plots. Ultimately, I believe the filmakers have done well (not perfectly, of course) in tackling this very difficult task.

Finally, I don’t think I said you didn’t like POA. I was only saying that I personally feel the shrunken heads have no impact on the series as a whole. Friends?

says:

Once again, I absolutely love the LOTR films and adore each Potter film in different ways. However, it just occurred to me that Jackson did unnecessarily make changes to the LOTR canon. The character of Arwen and the romance with Aragorn was overemphasized while Aragorn’s backstory was pushed to the background. Faramir’s integrity was called into question unlike in the books. Also, the elves joined the battle of Helm’s Deep when they were not supposed to be there at all. Jackson also made significant cuts, including: Tom Bombadil, the Houses of Healing (albeit a deleted scene), the aftermath in Hobbiton, etc. I would still love it if Jackson directed DH, but I don’t think any director could possibly deal with the plot of that book and tie together all of the loose ends. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

says:

Redbeard: I NEVER implied that the quality of the film was based on box office grosses. Some of the best movies ever quite frankly did not do well at all, or are independent so completely flew under the radar.

HOWEVER- As a moviemaking company who wants to make money it is IMPORTANT to WB to choose the director that will make a movie that will bring in the bucks. No the quality of the film should not be judged by box office grosses (nor should it be judged by critics for that matter so I disagree there), but when making a movie that costs 150 million dollars plus just to produce (not touching marketing, etc) then it’s only smart to get directors that the audience seems to like most which is judged by box office gross. Remember that just because a movie grosses 750 mil at the Box Office does not mean that you can take out the marketing and the production cost and that’s how much WB made off the film. WB only gets a fraction of the gross because the rest goes to the movie theaters. It takes a lot of money to break even with a big budget film. Why hire the guy who didn’t bring in the bucks as well?

P.S.- I hated Transformers so and often dislike big blockbuster franchises (the Shrek franchise probably being my number one most disliked), but if they make another Transformers movie with a new director and it doesn’t make as much as the first, regardless of what critics say I wouldn’t blame them at all for going back to the first director (actually I’d think it smart) if they make a third. Making a movie that expensive, you cannot afford to take risks. And PoA was boring anyway. Cauron is a critics darling so of course they were going to praise it.

Gingerlibby: There’s no problem with Ron staying in the hospital wing and Hermione being smart. That is indeed canon. No one is complaining that Ron was left out of the time turner scene and Hermione not. However, their characterizations- their dialogue, their personalities? So off. Ron is not a bumbling sidekick who “can’t handle things” (according to movie!Harry and Hermione) and Hermione is not a super genius with no imperfections. Their journey to save Sirius is not some clandestine secret amongst the two, and yes they did overdo Hermione’s braininess in that scene. The rock throwing thing? Total overkill. Instead of making that ridiculously long finale, how about fixing up the shrieking shack scene (and the stuff right before and after it) and adding in all the necessary backstory for one. Even if you watch the way the trio is laid out at many points in the movie, it is HERMIONE that is front and center. Not even Harry. Wtf? Harry is the hero, but Hermione is NOT the heroine. There is no heroine. She and Ron are BOTH his sidekicks.

says:

I did like the films of columbus, but Ginny, you have got to see yourself, Movies like home alone, mrs doubtfire and Rent really weren’t that good. He made a lot of loud and annoying movies and some sweet kid-flicks. There wasn’t too much wrong with Rent, but it could have been much better.
Columbus isn’t a bad director, he is just very average. I don’t want an average director for DH. He just can’t handle the depth and the complexity. Think about it.

says:

Oh, and Kelly, sorry I was a bit rude earlier on. (I still don’t agree with you, but that’s besides the point, wouldn’t it be boring if we all had the same opinion.)

says:

I was out of town for a bit and its interesting to return to this discussion. Ultimately, of course, the director will be who the director will be, we’ll still go to the movies, we’ll still buy the dvds (this time on blue ray)

But I am sticking with my original position, which I had to go back to page 4 of this thread to find. For me, the criteria is coherence of story line, and since we are discussing a series, that means not only must each film be internally coherent and logical, there needs to be constant reference across the films to set up the final film. By that criteria, OotP was a disappointment to me, and now I’m wondering just how the missing plot elements will be worked back in to bring the film series to a successful and satisfying conclusion.

In PoA, yes, I wish there had been an explanation of the Marauders’ Map, but leaving it out doesn’t detract from the complete series of films (tho it does leave puzzling moments within the film: my wife has not read the books but does watch the films, and picked up on the fact that Lupin knew the parchment was a map, and that Sirius knew “the map never lies”). An explanation about Harry’s Patronus would also have been useful. But, neither of these omissions really have a negative impact on the entire series of films.

OotP has its internal coherence, I fully grant that. But its weakness is that it does not set up the plot lines and clues for HBP and DH. The most obvious of these omissions surround the locket in Grimmauld Place, which automatically leads to Kreacher (and there had been a discussion during production about not having Kreacher in the film!) stealing back the Black family heirlooms, and then to Mundungus. There is no reference to Regulus. There is no reference to the two-way mirrors. Those are serious omissions in the overall story line that will need to be addressed somehow. The discussion between Harry and Dumbledore about the Prophecy seems oddly edited to me, but the lack of disalogue about Trelawney and the making of the Prophecy will cause a dilemma that needs to be addressed in HBP. This issue, like the absence of Dobby (again) and the bashing of the RoR can probably be skated over, but pose story line problems that could have been avoided. After all, HBP was available while OotP was being made, and there were (limited?) conversations with JKR… or, the production leaders (including director, writer, editor and others as a collective here) could have asked Evanna Lynch if they were doing it right!

So, in ten months and two weeks we’ll go see HBP, and we’ll enjoy finding out how our expectations are met and questions are answered …can’t wait!

says:

redbeard, that was a classy gesture, tipping my hat at you ;-)

says:

and i’m still catching up…similar acknowlegement to ginny and christine

says:

Kelly: I agree that an important consideration when selecting a director to helm any film, particularly a popular franchise, is the ability of that director to bring in paying audience members. So box office is one consideration. However, instead of saying that movies should “not be judged by critics” altogether, I believe their opinion is another important consideration in addition to the public’s reception. I also respectfully disagree that simply because Cuaron was, as you put it, “a critics’ darling,” critics were bound to “praise it.” Even well regarded directors like Ron Howard can get bashed by critics for films that they objectively judge to be of lesser quality (e.g. The DaVinci Code did not get the best reviews) than the other great films that director has made (e.g. Oscar winning A Beautiful Mind). Consequently, if a director’s work is liked by critics it is likely that their work has some merit which should not be minimized.

I’m not sure I recall when Harry and Hermione imply that Ron, as you say, “canâ€™t handle things.â€ Hermione does say, “seeing as how you can’t walk…” Furthermore, while I adore Ron as a character and especially appreciated his stronger presence in OotP, I believe JKR in interviews as well as the books themselves presents Ron as slightly more immature than his two friends. However, he has qualities which I also esteem quite highly. So I suppose I am having trouble recalling instances in POA where Ron was made too look like a “bumbling idiot” when he seems to simply act like a teenage boy who is slightly insecure, but with a nice sense of humor.

I just reread the chapter in POA when the trio are about to see Buckbeak, save Sirius, etc. and Cuaron did not add in any extra SuperHermione touches. Her throwing rocks was simply a plot device to seemlessly integrate time travel and get the trio out of the hut. Hermione is a smart witch who was warned by Dumbledore as well as others about how to use the time turner and time travel responsibly, so she is simply following through. She is also shown to have flaws as when she howls for Lupin as a werewolf and he comes charging at her and Harry and she says “yeah, didn’t think about that.” She also is shown to be weary of flying. Again, I guess I’m not sure what kind of imperfections should have been shown. I do agree that more time should have been devoted to crafting a better Shrieking Shack sequence that provides more details and that Harry could have been stading in the forefront a little more, but as the movies and books are decidedly Harry-centric and I like to view the trio as equals to each other in their own unique ways and not Super Harry and his two sidekicks, I think it’s nice when characters/actors other than Harry/Dan get to shine.

says:

Redbeard: Thanks. It’s fine. :)

GingerLibby: I’m not saying a critics comments are not relevant, I’m just saying that shouldn’t be the deciding factor on the quality of the movie. In the long run it’s the opinions of the general public that will matter most. Howard is really not near as beloved by critics as Cauron btw. Cauron is considered a director of art films while Howard directs more big budget titles for the most part.

In the film when Harry and Hermione return Ron asks what happened and they say “think he can handle it?” and start laughing. He gets exasperated and lays back down. That’s what I was referring to. Harry and Hermione would never make an intentionally demeaning comment towards Ron like that, unless they were angry at him which they were not at all. In the book they explain everything freely and have no problem letting him know but in the movie they act very clandestine about what they just did. I just honestly think there’s no scene in the entire set of movies more OOC than that.

Ron being a bit immature and insecure does not make him bumbling or stupid. Those traits can’t even really be connected, I think. In the books Ron says genuinely witty things often times and that’s usually why he’s funny. In the movies Ron is funny because the humor comes at his expense. That’s not on. Also, he actually handles things under pressure (well not schoolwork but dangerous things) better than Hermione generally. This trait is given to Hermione in the films and he’s left spazzing over things. This started way in movie one with the devil’s snare incident and continues in PoA pretty much… the entire movie. I agree that OotP is a far stronger presentation of his character. He’s pretty much canon!Ron in it.

Then of course there’s the infamous scene that gives Hermione one of Ron’s character defining lines in the SS.

Hermione was freaking out a great deal of the time turner scene in the book and she very much hates flying. Yes they did extend it! A lot. Additionally I don’t understand how Hermione being smart and resourceful means she’s canon true. There is a lot more to Hermione than that. Hermione is awkward, bookish, and even a tad socially awkward, and she’s quite insecure herself. She has a problem with breaking under pressure and is quite weepy. All of these imperfections are gone in the films, really. Has Hermione cried at all in the movies? I guess the Yule Brawl scene? Making one mistake in judgment doesn’t cover them.

I like to view the trio as equals but I do view Ron and Hermione as his sidekicks. Not because he’s “super Harry” but because he’s the lead character and they’re well, not.

says:

Kelly: I apologize if I misunderstood your statement about critics opinions. It’s just that you said “the quality of the film should not be judged by box office grosses nor should it be judged by critics for that matter.” So, I think were both in agreement that popular appeal/box office and critical acclaim are relevant measures for films. I also agree that Ron Howard is not as much of an artsy director, but he is even more beloved by critics than Cuaron, as he has won Critic’s Choice Awards, Academy Awards, and awards from his own peers at the Director’s Guild.

Also, regardin what you said about Harry and Hermione’s line in PoA I popped in my DVD and watched the scene you are referring to and neither character ever says “think he can handle it?” So, if such a line were included it could be said, as you state, that “thereâ€™s no scene in the entire set of movies more OOC than that,” but as it was not included Cuaron and his actors did stay true to character in that respect. Nevertheless, while I do admire PoA I wholeheartedly agree that switching Hermione and Ron’s lines in the Shrieking Shack was a mistake and throughout all of films-not just PoA-Hermione’s awkwardness is not showcased enough. It’s best in SS/PS, but especially off in GoF. However, it was nice that in SS/PS that each member of the trio triumphed in one of the obstacles set by the teachers: Hermione figured out the Devil’s Snare (we don’t even get to see her successfully figuring out Snape’s potions riddle), Ron helped with Chess, and Harry flew his broom to catch the key.

Finally, I agree that Harry is the lead character and should be shown as such. I just was saying that I personally enjoy when his two friends get some of the limelight. In fact, I wish some of the adult characters/actors were showcased more in the films. Oh well, in the end the HP fandom is filled with so many unique individuals whose imaginations are free to create a diverse array of visions for the books that the movies can never live up to everyone’s ideals. I try to find the best in all of them and give the filmmakers the benefit of the doubt, which is exactly what I plan on doing for DH.

says:

GingerLibby: About Howard. I mean that his ratio of critically acclaimed films vs. not acclaimed films is not as good as Cauron’s. He’s made some great films that have garnered a lot of awards, but he’s made some that have been pretty strongly disliked by critics (i.e. Davinci Code and How the Grinch Stole Christmas). Cauron has a more consistent track record.

I don’t have PoA on dvd (I have one, two, and five), so I’m sorry if I got the exact quote wrong but the scene’s there, even without the exact wording. It’s when Hermione and Harry come back from their mission and Ron asks what’s up, and then extended upon a bit when Ron is confused about the firebolt and they share a furtive smile as they look at Buckbeak’s feather. That means they still haven’t told him what happened at that time?

As for Hermione’s awkwardness yes I agree it’s been a problem in all of the movies. However, I felt she was better in the first two. She came across much more the “insufferable know it all” (in the most loving way possible) that we’ve come to love in the books. I know her glamorousness was mentioned early on, and while I don’t think movie!Hermione is glamorous perse I do think they prettied her up a bit too much in PoA and beyond. In the first two movies they at least attempted the Hermione hair, for example.

I enjoy when his friends get the limelight as well, believe me. I just want it to be equal, and not just Hermione getting the limelight. And I agree the PS was the movie that did this best.

says:

I am very happy with the way David Yates did OOP. The movies will never be as good as the books but he did a wonderful job. I too was very unhappy with PoA, my favorite book but least favorite movie. If Del Toro is of the Cuaron school, he needs to leave DH alone.

says:

GingerLibby: Sorry, I remembered the original scene. I was thinking of the dialogue in the online script, which is the one I read most recently. In the scene Ron is confused because they’d “just been there” (timeturner) and Hermione and Harry quip that they’ve been there the whole time and laugh. Ron is frustrated and flops down into bed. Pan to what must be at least a few days later, Harry gets the firebolt and Ron still doesn’t know what went down. My issues with the scene remain, and I think the one in the movie is actually worse.

says:

I like the team of David Yates and Michael Goldenberg. IMHO OotP was the best HP movie yet made (close to the story),aside from PS, that introduced us to HP world. BUT whoever WB choses to writi and direct the last HP movie it has to be PERFECT and I agree with doublecore,HPDH, Harry’s last, must go out with a bang, it will break all boxoffice records (as been proven previously)

says:

lol if I directed the movie I’d have changed the ending to be a bit more cinematic. (If anyone’s ever played Final Fantasy 10…the ending of that’s how I’d tackle the ending to Deathly Hallows) But meh….his opinion, I guess.

I’ve never been much of a fan of his work in the past but he seems to love the story, hopefully he’d do it justice.

says:

A agree with Doublecore in so far as DH will break box office records no matter who is directing it as all fans will flock to see the last movie, good or bad, I hope its good for its own sake (as well as ours) so it will stand the test of time as a HP classic. Personally I hope its either Yates or new boy Del Toro, as have a feeling he can produce a cracker.

says:

well, personally i think all recent directors did their job very well.columbus is the only one i couldn’t stand.but of course all of the others had their flaws too.and so i think it would be best if del toro would direct the last film. the more different directors the better.

says:

David Yates should direct the last one. these stories are very Dickinson and envolve English school boys. I think Yates really had the feel for the attitude and idionscries of the mentality of the school system.

says:

For those who didn’t like the way Ron and Hermione were shown in the PoA movie, I have news for you: in the books, Ron is basically the comic relief and Hermione is basically the smart one who tells the boys things that they are too dumb to figure out on their own. Nothing to be concerned about really.

And Hermione being proactive in the film is totally consistent with her character. If you listened to the latest podcast, you can hear JK Rowling saying that Hermione is not only smart but brave, and fights even though she has no taste for it, because of her inner courage. That’s pretty much what you see on screen. I’m not saying that just because Jo likes it, you should too; the point is that if you’re ragging on something because it’s not like her world, ask yourself how well you really know it—the spirit, not the letter. That’s what a director needs to figure out.

Sure, PoA has its problems—the ending goes on for too long, and with just a couple of lines of dialogue about the Marauders, the story arc would have been much more complete. Then when I think of OoTP, there isn’t a word about Umbridge sending the Dementors, and that’s the key to 80% of the story! It’s hard to get everything right, and if you ever try to adapt a long and complicated book for the screen, you’ll soon find that out for yourself.

says:

since i listed the omissions in PoA and OotP that cause potential problems with story line continuity across the films, to be thorough i’m just adding here two more

In PS, there was the scene in which Harry read the back of Dumbledore’s Chocolate Frog card aloud, including the bit about Grindelwald. Since we’ve all watched the deleted scenes repeatedly, we know that scene was filmed but noi included in the film…obviously that links to DH.

and, in GoF, the book chapter Weighing of the Wands had the reference to Gregorovich and included Ollivander, both important again in DH. the film scene had the interview with Rita Skeeter but no Ollivander, no Gregorovich.

the only other comment i have is more general: other than in PoA, there hasn’t been much mention in the films of Harry’s eyes looking like Lily’s….

It will be interesting to see how the more essential plot details are fit back in (or not) in the final films….and we have only ten months and 14 days before we get some of the answers…

will orwont, i’d add to your comment that the films were being made before the books were completed, making the process even more challenging. Nice point about Umbridge sending the dementers not being made in the film, i missed that

says:

Del Toro?
yes please!
I loved Pan’s Labyrinth and I loved Prisoner of Azkaban. All of the other movies (i did like OotP) were too commercial for my liking. Flashy special effects are fun, and definitely add to the overall experience of the film but I’ll take a darkly artistic Deathly Hallows over that any day.

says:

Will or wont: No, the twins are comic relief. Lavender is comic relief. Comic relief is a character who serves little purpose outside bringing humor into the story. A character saying funny things does not make them comic relief. Ron is as fleshed out a character with as many serious traits as Hermione. I personally think he’s the most realistic of the trio, but my opinion on that aside he’s certainly not a joke character just because you laugh at his dialogue sometimes. News? Read DH. Is there any part of the trio dynamic more serious than the subplot with Ron? No. Read GoF, same thing. He is the heart of the trio (JKR’s words). Ron and Hermione have a strong relationship together without Harry, Ron and Harry have an amazing friendship without Hermione. Harry and Hermione have a strong friendship, but without Ron there it’s awkward and they don’t even enjoy each other’s presence. They spend half the time talking about Ron in GoF and in DH him not being there cripples them to such an extreme level. Ron is the glue that holds the trio together. Without him there’s no trio, and I don’t mean that because a trio minus one is no longer a trio. Ron is not a cliche like the movies have turned him into one. He is not stupid like the movies have portrayed him. He is not a “lesser” character than Hermione as the movies have done. I never said Hermione wasn’t brave btw. But actually her being willing to fight despite not being able to handle it well is what I think Jo was going for in her statement and that is not movie Hermione. By insinuating that she has pitted a major character in the role of comic relief and not much more, I think Jo’s writing is undermined. She did not fall into cliches with the trio. The movie took her non-cliched characters and changed them so they were.

says:

I still think the one who captures the true “feeling” of the books was Columbus.

says:

Being comic relief is not the same thing as being a joke character. HP has more joke characters than anyone can count, but Ron’s role is at a different level. Ron shows bravery too, but he isn’t really known for being a jock like the Quidditch stars. It doesn’t bother me to see him being flippant in the books and it doesn’t bother me to see it on film either.

The DH subplot with Ron can be cut almost completely, so can most of the camping trip episode.

The scenes that should be major setpieces for the film are: * Scrimgeour at the Burrow; * escape from Privet drive; * Bill/Fleur wedding; * Deatheaters in the diner; * raid on the Ministry; * visit to Godric’s Hollow; * visit to Xeno’s house; * escape from Malfoy mansion; * raid on Gringotts; * Aberforth at the Hog’s head; * everything from Harry’s return to Hogwarts onwards done VERBATIM to the book (one full hour of screen time at minimum). Every little bit of that part of the book is precious. If a director can do even half of that right it will be an amazing film. And a long one.

As budb noted, it was hard for the first few filmmakers to do these films without much idea of where the series was headed. I bet even Columbus would have done CoS a bit differently if he knew he was dealing with a horcrux.

says:

I wish I knew what makes del Toro think he’s in contention to direct the last one; for some reason, he does seem to think he has a chance if he campaigns for it. Barring a HBP disaster, my guess is that Yates will be offered the job before anyone else, and I think the big, grand finale would be hard to pass up. I know Columbus burned out after two, but to do the very last one…I somehow think Yates will find his second wind. I just don’t want to see del Toro or Cuaron in the director’s chair. I think their styles would be very similar, and I just think PoA was the poorest adaptation. If cinematography and seeing what personal additions a director can make to JKR’s world is what appeals to you, then sure, I understand why you want Cuaron. Hey—we’re all Harry Potter fans, and I think it’s great that each of us likes different ways of interpreting the books. But I’m more into sticking with the plot and getting the characterization right, not someone like del Toro who has said he wants to do things on his own terms (which is a red flag to me that has some very controversial plans that JKR wouldn’t particularly like).

Re: the discussion about Ron, I think his portrayal was most spot on in Sorcerer’s Stone and in Order of the Phoenix. Hopefully that’s the Ron we’ll see from here on out! When you say they could cut the Ron sub-plot, do you mean his leaving Harry and Hermione? I can’t see cutting that, if that’s what you mean. There are so many reasons to keep that in, and it said so much about his character…but I’m sorry if I missed something and that’s not what you meant! will orwont, I actually thought the destruction of the diary was pretty good! :) Ah well, that’s just me; I thought it indicated the appropriate amount of importance. But on the other hand, Tom Riddle (while Harry was stabbing the diary) was pretty cheesy….

says:

Will or Wont: Ron not being a Quidditch star means he’s comic relief? I don’t get your statement here? Ron is not “flippant” in the movies though (which all of the trio is rather flippant from time to time actually- Harry has a rather morbid sense of humor for example). He’s rather stupid and has no purpose outside of being comic relief, a joke character. All of his more serious traits go to other characters or are cut, and he’s just a big goofball who happens to be Harry’s funny friend. Ron was as GinaC said, portrayed pretty well in PS/SS and OotP. It’s one of the reasons I liked OotP quite bit. Ron said funny things from time to time in it, but his purpose in the movie was not to be funny. Hermione is often very funny in the books as well, but no one would call her comic relief. What about Luna? Same difference. I just don’t know how it can be argued that movie Ron is close to canon Ron. Neville spends most of the first five books being funny but he’s certainly not comic relief.

The core PLOT can go on in DH without almost any of the trio relationship dynamic points she brings into the story. They could cut Hermione/Ron, they could cut Harry/Ginny. They could cut out every bit of story that explored the relationships amongst the trio in DH and still have a movie. It would be a very very bad one though. Rowling’s strength even more than plot is characterization and in my opinion and that is something that the movies suffer from GREATLY as they cut so many vital characterization points. The emotion is so often lost.

As for your outline- Bill and Fleur’s wedding could be cut as easily as anything else, and replaced with a generic DE attack. Actually being that Bill has not been cast and Fleur wasn’t asked back for HBP, it seems pretty definite it will be cut. Yes, the emotion would be lost but if you’re okay with cutting the intensely emotional Ron subplot that doesn’t seem like it’s as much of consequence here. Similarily, Godric’s Hollow could be cut and Harry’s wand broken in one of the random DE attacks or when the snatchers get them. Sure it would be nice to see James and Lily’s graves and the frightening Bathilda scene but a condensation of the Dumbledore plot (which I have no doubt will happen) would make it easy to cut Bathilda entirely. The visit to Xeno’s house is certainly not more important than the Ron subplot. Hermione has the book with the “Tale of Three Brothers” in it, and there’s no saying they couldn’t find out about the hallows through that and perhaps another book she has with her. Aberforth at the Hog’s Head will be condensed a lot, I have no doubt. It’s not appropo for a movie to have some just sitting there talking for twenty minutes. I don’t see how any of these storylines are more important than the Ron plot. Cutting them would be just as easy, if not more so.

The main problem with the Ron plot is that the leadup is just not there in the movies. Ron’s insecurities are scarcely touched upon (and just having him nervous over quidditch in HBP won’t begin to cover the buildup they’ve lost), and if they don’t start characterizing better the plot would just come across random. And that’s unfortunate, because it would just show that them playing the characters so differently than Rowling forces them to, once they get to the end, have to cut some of the best material in all of the books.

says: In my opinion yates should get to do DH since he's already done the preivous two (OTP, HBP)